New Delhi/Jakarta, 07 July (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday addressed the Parliament of Indonesia, stating that India and Indonesia have immense opportunities for cooperation across a wide range of sectors. He also asserted that, amid the rapidly evolving global order, reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) can no longer be postponed. Calling the two nations natural partners, he said India is prepared to extend full cooperation to Indonesia in areas including satellite launch technology.

Prime Minister Modi said the global order is undergoing rapid transformation, and developing countries such as India and Indonesia rightfully expect greater participation and a stronger role in global governance. He reiterated India's firm belief that the process of reforming the United Nations Security Council should not be delayed any further so that global institutions accurately reflect contemporary geopolitical realities.

He said India and Indonesia are natural partners for the future, with enormous potential for collaboration in trade, technology, innovation and strategic cooperation. India, he added, is ready to support Indonesia in the field of satellite launch technology and is keen to elevate bilateral space cooperation to new heights.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed India's commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region and stressed the importance of freedom of navigation across maritime routes. He said India's 'Act East' Policy is firmly ASEAN-centric, and ASEAN's centrality remains the cornerstone of India's Indo-Pacific vision.

On the issue of terrorism, PM Modi said India and Indonesia have consistently stood by each other. He expressed gratitude to Indonesia for demonstrating solidarity with India following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam last year. He added that both countries are further strengthening cooperation against terrorism through their Joint Working Group.

The Prime Minister said India is the world's largest democracy and the Mother of Democracy, while Indonesia is the world's third-largest democracy. He noted that both nations have built their democratic foundations on diversity, and these shared values constitute the greatest strength of bilateral relations.

He further said that India and Indonesia are connected not only by the sea but also through a shared history, culture and civilisational heritage. He highlighted that the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, Nalanda, Borobudur, the Prambanan Temple, Garuda and the cultural traditions of Bali have linked the two countries for centuries. He also recalled India's strong support for Indonesia's struggle for independence at the United Nations.

PM Modi observed that Indonesia's economy has achieved remarkable progress over the past two decades, while India is currently the world's fastest-growing major economy. He noted that more than 250 million Indians have been lifted out of poverty over the past decade. Bilateral trade between the two countries has reached nearly USD 25 billion, and more than 100 Indian companies are operating in Indonesia. However, he emphasised that the scope for cooperation remains virtually limitless.

Referring to BRICS, the Prime Minister noted that Indonesia became a full member of the grouping last year, while India holds the BRICS Presidency this year. He said the two countries can work together to make BRICS more practical, balanced and responsive to the aspirations and needs of the Global South.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Modi presented the Ganga-Mahakam Vision for the India-Indonesia partnership, proposing four key pillars of future cooperation. These include launching an India-Indonesia Civilisation Dialogue to connect younger generations with the two countries' shared civilisational heritage, creating new opportunities through shared development, strengthening security and strategic trust, and giving fresh direction to maritime cooperation to transform their shared maritime geography into a source of shared prosperity.

At the beginning of his address, Prime Minister Modi thanked the people of Indonesia for the warm welcome and affection extended to him during his visit. He said receiving Indonesia's highest civilian honour was an honour for 1.4 billion Indians and a symbol of the two nations' democratic traditions, shared heritage and steadily deepening partnership.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar