**Indonesian President Acknowledges Emulation of Modi’s Policies During Official Visit**
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has openly acknowledged his admiration for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, admitting to emulating several of Modi's policies in an effort to spur development in Indonesia. This revelation came during a banquet hosted by Subianto in honor of Modi, who is currently on a three-day official visit to Indonesia.
Subianto expressed his respect for Modi's leadership, stating, “I follow your career, copied your programs.” He emphasized the similarities between the two nations, noting that both face comparable challenges, including large populations, reliance on agriculture, and vulnerability to natural disasters. “We have the same problems… and yet India has achieved (much) progress,” Subianto remarked, highlighting India's significant advancements.
Indonesia, with a population of approximately 280 million, is the fourth most populous country in the world. Both Indonesia and India have a median age of around 30 years, although India has a much larger youth demographic, with nearly 950 million people under the age of 35. This demographic similarity has prompted Modi to focus on initiatives aimed at harnessing the potential of the youth in both countries.
During his visit, Modi emphasized the importance of technology in the 21st century, stating, “The 21st century is a technology-driven century. India and Indonesia are both nations powered by the energy of their youth.” He noted that the young populations of both countries share a natural affinity for technology, which could be leveraged for mutual benefit.
One of the key announcements during Modi's trip was the establishment of an overseas campus of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in the Singhasari Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Indonesia. IIMs are renowned institutions in India, known for their excellence in management education. Modi highlighted that this initiative would significantly benefit young people across the ASEAN region, indicating India's broader strategy to extend its influence and soft power within Southeast Asia.
Additionally, Modi introduced the Indonesia Open Network (ION), which is based on India’s Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) framework. This initiative aims to enhance digital commerce and technology cooperation between the two nations. “Today, we concluded an important agreement to strengthen technology cooperation between our young people in areas such as artificial intelligence, telecommunications, and digital public infrastructure,” Modi stated.
The visit also resulted in the signing of 14 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries, covering a wide range of sectors including maritime safety and security, space cooperation, defense, steel supply chains, rare earths, healthcare, agriculture, and science and technology. These agreements are expected to deepen the trust and collaboration between Indonesia and India, paving the way for enhanced bilateral relations.
As both leaders continue to explore synergies between their nations, Subianto's candid acknowledgment of his admiration for Modi's policies reflects a growing trend of cross-national learning and adaptation in governance. The initiatives discussed during this visit are likely to play a significant role in shaping the future of Indonesia's development strategy, as it seeks to address its own challenges while drawing inspiration from India’s successes.