Speaking at the special banquet, Subianto joked about his newfound connection to India. Highlighting his Indian connection, the Indonesian President cited his recent DNA test which revealed that he has Indian ancestry.
"A few weeks ago I had my genetic sequencing test and my DNA test and they told me that I have Indian DNA. Everybody knows when I hear Indian music, I start dancing...", said Subianto. His statement sent waves of laughter.
#WATCH | Delhi | "...A few weeks ago I had my genetic sequencing test and my DNA test and they told me that I have Indian DNA. Everybody knows when I hear Indian music, I start dancing...", says Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto at the banquet hosted by President Droupadi… pic.twitter.com/N7f0EpLamZ
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2025
The dinner was attended by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, PM Modi and other dignitaries.
"India and Indonesia have a long, ancient history together. We have civilizational links, even now a very important part of our language comes from Sanskrit. Many names of Indonesia are actually Sanskrit names and in our daily life, the influence of ancient Indian civilization is very strong. I think it's also part of our genetics," he added.
Subianto witnesses India's grand Republic-Day parade
Earlier in the day, Subianto watched India's 76th Republic Day celebrations at the majestic Kartavya Path on Sunday, joining a select group of global leaders to have graced the nation's biggest ceremonial event in the last seven decades.
As the chief guest at the ceremony, Subianto witnessed a grand military parade and cultural performances along with President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, members of the Union Cabinet and a host of other dignitaries at Kartavya Path, the centrepiece boulevard of the national capital.
Subianto, a former defence minister, is the fourth Indonesian president to attend India's Republic Day celebrations.
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