During a dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday, Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto made a lighthearted comment that sparked laughter among the dignitaries present, including President Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

While discussing his connection with India, Subianto shared an amusing story about a recent genetic sequencing test he had taken. "A few weeks ago, I had my genetic sequencing and DNA test, and they told me I have Indian DNA," he said, causing everyone to chuckle.

He continued, adding, "Everybody knows that when I hear Indian music, I start dancing," which left the room in splits.

Indonesia and India share a deep, ancient bond with strong civilizational ties that continue to shape their relationship today. Speaking at a dinner with Indian leaders, Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto explained these connections, noting that many names in Indonesia have their roots in Sanskrit.

"Even today, a significant part of our language comes from Sanskrit, and the influence of ancient Indian civilization is strongly present in our daily lives," Subianto said. He humorously added, "I think it's also part of our genetics."
Subianto also took the opportunity to praise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, particularly his efforts to alleviate poverty and support marginalized communities. 

"I am very proud to be here in India," Subianto said. "I am not a professional politician, nor a skilled diplomat, but I speak from the heart. In the short time I've spent here, I've learned a lot from Prime Minister Modi's leadership and his commitment to helping the most vulnerable in society."

The Indonesian President expressed his admiration for Modi’s work and reaffirmed the importance of the partnership between the two nations. "His commitment to alleviating poverty, helping the marginalized, and supporting the weakest members of society is an inspiration for us," Subianto added.

President Prabowo Subianto was the Chief Guest at the 76th Republic Day celebrations in India on Sunday, accompanied by a delegation of Indonesian ministers, senior officials, and business representatives. The event featured a performance by Indonesia's Genderang Suling Canka Lokananta, a 190-member ensemble band from the Indonesian Military Academy (Akmil), reflecting the nation's military discipline and tradition.

During his three-day visit, India and Indonesia signed and renewed five Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) in diverse areas such as health, traditional medicine, and maritime security, marking a significant step in deepening their cooperation.

Wishing India "prosperity, peace, and greatness," he emphasized his desire to see Indonesia and India continue to grow as close partners and friends, strengthening their already historic ties.