‘I have Indian DNA’: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto reveals genetic connection to India at state banquet

“I would like to report to the President, Prime Minister, Vice-President… a few weeks ago, I had my genetic sequencing test and my DNA test, and they tell me that I have Indian DNA. And everybody knows when I hear Indian music, I start dancing… it must be part of my make-up,” Subianto says in the video clip.

Flanked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar at the high table, Subianto goes on to say: “I am not a professional politician, not a good diplomat. I say what’s in my heart. I (have) come here (for a) few days but I learnt a lot… from Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, programmes, and your commitment to alleviate poverty, to help the marginalised, to help the weakest part of your society is an inspiration for us.”

Later in the evening, a delegation from Indonesia — comprising several ministers — sang the 1998 popular Bollywood song ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, much to the surprise of those present there.

President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the Republic day ceremony. (Express Photo/Renuka Puri)

The visiting President also dwelt at length on the ancient civilisational ties between the two countries, adding that he would like to see “Indonesia and India continuing to be close partners and friends”.

Later in the evening, a delegation from Indonesia — comprising several ministers — sang the popular Bollywood song ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, much to the surprise of those present.

Welcoming Subianto, Murmu said that civilisational ties between India and Indonesia go back thousands of years. “The values of pluralism, inclusiveness and rule of law are common to both countries and these shared values have given direction to our contemporary relations,” she said.

She recalled “the millennia-old civilisational links”, including the ‘Bali Jatra’ observed in Odisha, which commemorates the maritime journeys undertaken by Indian seafarers and traders in ancient times to Bali and other regions of the Indo-Pacific. Murmu also noted that Indonesia is a key pillar of India’s ‘Act East’ policy and Indo-Pacific Vision.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Genderang Suling Canka Lokananta, a 190-member band from the Indonesian Military Academy, also took part in the Republic Day parade on Sunday.