Indonesian President’s ‘Indian DNA’ joke has PM Modi, VP Dhankhar in laughs
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto left Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and others laughing during a banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday. President Droupadi Murmu hosted the dinner in his honor ahead of India’s Republic Day celebrations.
Subianto, the chief guest at Sunday’s Republic Day parade, shared a humorous revelation. He said, “A few weeks ago, I had my genetic sequencing test, and they told me I have Indian DNA. Everybody knows when I hear Indian music, I start dancing.” His witty comment drew laughter from the gathering, with PM Modi and VP Dhankhar visibly amused.
Building on the light-hearted moment, Subianto spoke about the deep ties between India and Indonesia. He highlighted civilizational connections, emphasizing the influence of ancient Indian culture in Indonesia. “Many names in Indonesia come from Sanskrit, and the influence of Indian civilization is strong in our daily life. I think it’s part of our genetics,” he remarked.
Transitioning to a more serious note, Subianto praised PM Modi’s leadership. He lauded Modi’s efforts to reduce poverty and uplift marginalized communities. “I came here for a few days but learned a lot from Prime Minister Modi’s leadership and commitment,” Subianto said, expressing admiration for India’s progress.
The Indonesian President expressed pride in visiting India and wished its people prosperity, peace, and greatness. He added, “I am not a professional politician or a good diplomat. I speak from my heart.”
This visit marks Subianto as the fourth Indonesian President to attend India’s Republic Day parade as chief guest. Indonesia’s Sukarno held this honor in 1950, followed by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2011 and Joko Widodo in 2018.
Subianto’s visit reinforces the enduring bond between the two nations, built on shared history and mutual respect. His remarks, blending humor and heartfelt sentiments, added a memorable touch to the celebrations.
