Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto travelled together to the Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta on Wednesday, 8 July, jointly inaugurating a conservation and restoration project at the UNESCO World Heritage Site — the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia. The visit, which formed part of Modi's three-day state visit to Indonesia, underscores the two nations' deepening civilisational ties and their renewed Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The Visit and What It Signifies

Both leaders flew to Yogyakarta together, with Modi sharing an aerial glimpse of the temple complex from the helicopter window on X (formerly Twitter), writing: 'The majestic Prambanan Temple!' The joint inauguration of the conservation project signals a tangible, India-backed commitment to preserving a site that embodies the ancient cultural corridor between South Asia and Southeast Asia.

On Tuesday, 7 July, India and Indonesia exchanged a Letter of Intent for the India-backed conservation and restoration initiative at Prambanan, formalised after bilateral talks between the two leaders. The exchange came as both sides sought to deepen their strategic partnership and discuss frameworks for a stable Indo-Pacific.

About Prambanan Temple

Built in the 10th century, the Prambanan Temple complex is dedicated primarily to Lord Shiva and features towering shrines to the Hindu trinity — Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma — along with temples to their divine vehicles. Its walls carry intricate reliefs depicting scenes from the Ramayana, serving as a living testament to the deep spiritual and cultural links between India and the archipelago.

Modi's Address at the Indonesian Parliament

A day earlier, Modi had told the Indonesian Parliament that the two countries' relationship is 'rooted in the legacy of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.' He said: 'India and Indonesia do not just share the sea; we also share our history... We are linked through magnificent monuments such as Borobudur and Prambanan. We are connected through Garuda, Indonesia's national emblem. We are connected through the joy and celebrations of the Bali Jatra festival.'

Notably, Garuda — the mythical eagle from Hindu and Buddhist tradition — is Indonesia's national symbol, a direct reflection of the civilisational depth that Modi sought to highlight during the visit.

Broader Context of the State Visit

Modi's Indonesia visit included bilateral talks with President Subianto, an address to the Indonesian Parliament, and an engagement with the Indian diaspora community. The Prambanan visit is the most symbolically resonant moment of the trip, combining heritage diplomacy with a concrete conservation commitment. This comes amid India's broader push to strengthen ties with ASEAN nations as part of its Act East Policy, with Indonesia — the world's largest Muslim-majority democracy — being a pivotal partner in the Indo-Pacific calculus.

The conservation project at Prambanan is expected to further institutionalise people-to-people and cultural linkages between the two countries, going beyond traditional trade and defence frameworks.