Republic Day Reception Remarks by Ambassador

Draft of Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Pradeep K Rawat at 69th

Republic Day Reception,

31st January 2018, Time: 1930 hrs, Venue: Ballroom Four Seasons Hotel

Excellency Mr. Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Industry of the Republic of Indonesia, dignitaries on stage, colleagues from the diplomatic corps, members of the media and all friends of India in Indonesia, who have joined us today – on behalf of the Embassy of India in Jakarta, allow me to extend a very warm welcome and good evening to all of you at today’s 69th Republic Day celebrations in Jakarta.

I arrived in Indonesia 4 months ago. For me and my family, it was our first ever journey to this beautiful and very hospitable country. When I shared this fact, rather sheepishly, with some of my earlier Indonesian acquaintances, many were surprised. It was a genuine surprise and not the one ‘make you feel good’ kind of surprise. After spending few days here, I could understand the reason for their surprise. Given the deep cultural and civilizational linkages that our two peoples share, the fact that Indonesia is one of India’s closest maritime neighbors, and the cultural and natural beauty of this land, it is natural to assume that most Indians visit Indonesia. However, it is not so. There are hundreds of millions of Indians who are yet to visit Indonesia. We are making some progress in that direction with the expansion of connectivity between our two countries. India has emerged as the fastest growing source of tourism to Indonesia. I hope that within a decade there would be fewer and fewer Indians who would not have visited some part of Indonesia.

We are also making progress in bringing our two countries closer in a host of other areas. After the visit of President Joko Widodo to India in December 2016, there is new dynamism in bilateral engagement. Since then we have held over a dozen senior level engagements. In the month of January, during which we had the honour to receive President Joko Widodo and First Lady Madam Iriana for the India-ASEAN commemorative Summit and as Guests of Honour on our Republic Day in New Delhi, we have exchanged 4 other high level Ministerial visits and organized a bilateral trade and investment event. And to my dear friends in JAGA, it explains my inability to devote much time to learning the enticing game of Golf, which I am committed to learn and retain with me as a lasting memory of my stay in this wonderful country among other memories of my interaction with friends and visits to beautiful landscapes.

Hundreds of years ago, Indian entrepreneurs and scholars contributed in laying the foundation of deeper cultural bonds between our two peoples. I have no hesitation in recognizing the stellar role being played by Indian Industry and members of the dynamic Indian community in Indonesia who in their own way are contributing to strengthen the bond of friendship between our two peoples. Many of them are present here and have helped in organization of this event.

We are very fortunate and proud to have many Indonesian friends who, through their efforts, have nurtured the shared cultural and civilizational heritage and have given it a contemporary manifestation. I would particularly like to acknowledge and thank the well-known Indonesian artist and sculptor, Bapak Nyoman Nuarta who through his art has made invaluable contribution in this endeavor. In recognition of his contribution, he has been honoured with one of India’s highest civilian awards at the Republic Day Celebrations – with the title of Padam Shri. Our sincerest felicitations to you Sir.

May I invite Bapak Nuarta and Madam Nuarta to join me on the stage. Let us give them a round of warm applause.

Excellencies, let me thank you for joining us today at the 69th Republic Day Reception. We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for having contributed in your own special ways in strengthening bonds of friendship between our two countries.

Allow me to raise a toast to

Health and happiness of people of Indonesia;

Continued economic development of Indonesia; and

the long-lasting friendship between the peoples of India and Indonesia – (toasts brought on stage)…

Thank you all for joining.

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