A light-hearted revelation at a community gathering in Jakarta turned into a diplomatic moment with ripple effects. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said a DNA test showed he has Indian ancestry, drawing loud cheers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, present at the event, said the remark had ‘won the hearts of millions of Indians’.
The audience, largely from the Indian diaspora, applauded as Prabowo linked his finding to a shared cultural affinity. In a recorded clip from the event, he explained that he took a genome sequencing test just before his state visit to India.
Why the remark resonated
Responding on stage, PM Modi called Prabowo a 'true friend of India‘ and thanked him for the warmth and hospitality. He said the line about Indian DNA had touched people across India and described it as a bond built on mutual trust and shared heritage.
Modi also noted that Prabowo had made a similar comment during an earlier interaction and that it had drawn the loudest applause then as well. The repeated sentiment amplified the emotional undertone of the visit.
What Prabowo said about identity and culture
Prabowo told the gathering: ‘Just before I made my state visit to India, I had what is called a genome sequencing test. I tested my DNA, and I found out I had Indian DNA.’ He quipped that this might explain why Indian music makes him want to dance.
Keeping the mood light, he said several ministers and military generals in his government enjoy Indian music, adding with a smile that ‘maybe most of them have Indian DNA’ too. The crowd responded with laughter and applause.
Beyond the humour, he underscored deep civilisational links. He said Indonesia’s civilisation and culture have been strongly influenced by India, with language ‘around 50% from Sanskrit’, and many names of Sanskrit origin. He urged Indonesians to learn from India’s experience.
Honours and diplomatic signals
Shortly before the community interaction, President Prabowo conferred the Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipurna, Indonesia’s highest civilian honour, on PM Modi. The recognition, presented for strengthening bilateral relations, framed the day’s outreach with a formal diplomatic signal.
Prabowo added that he was honoured to be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day in 2025, just three months after taking office. He recalled that Indonesia’s first President, Sukarno, was the chief guest at India’s first Republic Day in 1950.
Shared democratic ambitions
The Indonesian leader linked the cultural narrative to governance. He said Indonesia and India are ‘the two out of the three largest democracies in the world’, acknowledging that democracy is not an easy path but calling it the best system for justice, hope, and inclusiveness.
He praised the Election Commission of India, saying Indonesia is ‘very closely learning from them’, and described his meeting with Modi earlier in the day as ‘very good’. The comments pointed to practical cooperation alongside symbolic gestures.
Why it matters and what comes next
The remark about Indian DNA worked as soft power, energising diaspora connections while reinforcing a long-standing civilisational story. Coupled with the top civilian honour and references to electoral learning, it suggested a broadened agenda.
Here are the key developments the leaders underscored:
– Cultural ties rooted in shared civilisational heritage
– Democratic learning with focus on election management
– Recognition through Indonesia’s highest civilian honour
– Public signalling to deepen bilateral cooperation
Later, another clip from the event showed PM Modi thanking Prabowo again and calling him a 'true friend of India‘, reinforcing the personal rapport that shaped the day’s message.
Both sides highlighted friendship, democratic values, and closer cooperation as priorities. Attention now turns to converting the public warmth into concrete initiatives, particularly in cultural exchange and governance practices, themes both leaders chose to spotlight in Jakarta.
