Prabowo’s Proud Moment Receiving Greetings from Indonesian Contingent at India’s Republic Day Parade

New Delhi – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto attended the 76th Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path, New Delhi, on Sunday (26/1) as the Chief Guest.

Prabowo arrived at the venue in a horse-drawn carriage with Indian President Droupadi Murmu at around 10am local time. Prabowo then greeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the high-ranking Indian officials present.

Prabowo then climbed to the saluting base or podium of honour and the Indian national anthem was played accompanied by 21 cannon blasts.

The parade that had been held since morning then continued. From the podium, Prabowo, wearing a grey beskap and black cap, received a salute from the defile contingents.

Shortly afterwards, the marching band from the Indonesian Military Academy (Akmil), Genderang Suling Canka Lokananta (GSCL) and the TNI marching contingent performed to the tune of Maju Tak Gentar.

The performance of the marching contingent and GSCL was a powerful symbol of Indonesia’s national unity, military prowess, and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty. The formation of the marching contingent itself included personnel from all armed forces, namely the Army, Navy and Air Force marching in unison.

As the Indonesian contingent of 352 personnel passed by, Prabowo stood up and gave a respectful greeting with a proud look on his face. This was the first time an Indonesian contingent had taken part in a national day parade abroad.

Previously, Prabowo in his remarks when attending a dinner invitation at the state residence of the President of India on Friday (25/1), expressed his deep appreciation for the invitation and warm welcome from the Indian government.

Prabowo highlighted that this moment repeated the history when Indonesia’s first President Sukarno was also the Chief Guest on the first Indian Republic Day in 1950.

‘I am truly honoured because on your [India’s] first Republic Day, the guest of honour, the chief guest, was also the President of the Republic of Indonesia, our first President, and the proclaimer of our independence, Mr Sukarno. This is truly a great honour,’ Prabowo said.

‘This means that I am following in the footsteps of the founding father of the Republic of Indonesia. I must tell you all that this meeting, this visit, although it is very short, only four days, but I consider it very productive,’ he continued. (RR)