Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday praised India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru for backing Indonesia's independence movement, saying New
Delhi had emerged as a strong voice for Jakarta at the United Nations during its struggle against colonial rule. Addressing the Indonesian Parliament in Jakarta, PM Modi recalled the deep historical ties between the two nations and highlighted the role played by Jawaharlal Nehru and Indonesia's founding President Sukarno, in shaping the post-colonial world order. He noted that India had firmly supported Indonesia's fight for independence, with New Delhi becoming one of the strongest international voices backing Jakarta's cause at the United Nations. Recalling the close relationship between the two countries, PM Modi said Indonesia's founding President Sukarno was the chief guest at India's first Republic Day celebrations in 1950. "Both our countries have made diversity the very foundation of our unity within our democracies. When India celebrated its first Republic Day in 1950, the chief guest at that historic ceremony was none other than President Sukarno," Modi said.
PM Modi recalls Bandung Conference
The Prime Minister also invoked the historic Bandung Conference, saying President Sukarno and India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru jointly championed the principle that newly independent nations had the sovereign right to chart their own course.
"During that era, at the Bandung Conference, President Sukarno and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru sent a clear message to the world that independent nations have the sovereign right to make their own decisions," he said.
PM Modi also paid tribute to former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, recalling his daring mission to rescue Indonesian leaders during the country's independence struggle, describing it as a symbol of the enduring friendship between India and Indonesia.
The historic Bandung Conference was held in 1955 with 29 newly independent Asian and African countries as participants. The summit promoted cooperation, opposed colonialism and laid the groundwork for the Non-Aligned Movement.
(With agency inputs)
