Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, 6 July arrived in Jakarta for a three-day State Visit to Indonesia, receiving a culturally rich welcome ceremony that featured performances rooted in shared Indian and Indonesian civilisational heritage — from Wayang Kulit shadow puppetry to Bharatanatyam and Buddhist devotional dance.

Wayang Kulit and the Ramayana Connection

Among the highlights of the arrival ceremony was a performance of Wayang Kulit, Indonesia's iconic shadow puppet tradition. The performance, staged by a group known as Ganesh, brought the story of the Ramayana to life through the centuries-old art form. Modi wrote on X: 'Witnessed a captivating performance of Wayang Kulit, Indonesia's treasured shadow puppetry tradition, bringing the timeless story of the Ramayan to life. It was a moving reminder of how our shared civilisational heritage has travelled across seas and generations, taking on beautiful local expressions while preserving its eternal values. My compliments to the team, which is known as Ganesh, for the performance.'

Bharatanatyam by Indonesian Students

The welcome ceremony also featured a Bharatanatyam performance of Shiva Stuthi by Indonesian students from the Samanvaya Group. Modi expressed his appreciation, writing: 'In Jakarta, I was delighted to witness a graceful Bharatanatyam performance by the Samanvaya Group. It is gladdening to see these cherished traditions being preserved and presented with such dedication and excellence.'

Buddhist Heritage on Display

A third performance, titled 'Homage to the Triple Gem', was presented by artistes of the Vihara Dharma Ratna Group. The devotional Buddhist dance paid homage to the Tiratana — the Triple Gem in Buddhist tradition. Modi described it as 'exceptional', noting that it 'reflected the timeless teachings of Lord Buddha and the profound values embodied in the Triple Gem.' He added that it was 'heartening to see the rich Buddhist heritage being preserved and celebrated with such passion by the people of Indonesia.'

Indian Diaspora Welcome and Presidential Reception

Members of the Indian diaspora gathered at Modi's hotel in Jakarta, greeting him with chants of 'Modi Modi'. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto personally welcomed the Prime Minister at the airport — a gesture Modi described as having left him 'deeply touched.' Indonesian Air Force fighter jets escorted the Indian Prime Minister's aircraft from the moment it entered Indonesian airspace. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted on X that 'the performances underscored the shared civilizational, cultural and spiritual heritage of India and Indonesia.'

Strategic Context and What Comes Next

This is Modi's first bilateral visit to Jakarta since India and Indonesia elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2018. The visit follows President Subianto's appearance as chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations on 26 January 2025. During the visit, the two leaders are expected to hold discussions across multiple sectors and will jointly visit the Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta — a site Modi described as 'another remarkable testament to our close cultural ties.' Indonesia is the first stop on Modi's three-nation tour, which will subsequently take him to Australia and New Zealand.