Jakarta — President Prabowo Subianto conferred Indonesia's highest honor, the Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia, on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Istana Merdeka on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, for his leadership that brings India-Indonesia relationship continue elevating.
The Bintang Adipurna is Indonesia's top state award, given to individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the unity, continuity and prosperity of the Republic of Indonesia.
PM Narendra Modi received the honor during a ceremony at the presidential palace following a formal welcome ceremony that included a 21-gun salute and an honor guard inspection upon his arrival at Merdeka Palace on Tuesday.
"We thank PM Modi for accepting the form of award, as this is for his leadership and contribution in strengthening Indonesia-India relationship to achieve the level of strategic comprehensive partnership," President Prabowo said after bestowing the Bintang Adipurna to PM Modi.
The same honorary award was also given to India's first PM Jawahaelal Nehru.
PM Modi's visit, running from 6 to 8 July, comes at Prabowo's personal invitation and reciprocates the Indonesian leader's trip to New Delhi in January 2025, when Prabowo attended India's Republic Day celebrations as chief guest. It is PM Modi's fourth visit to Indonesia and his first bilateral trip since the two countries elevated relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2018.
Accepting the award, PM Modi tied the honor to a broader vision for bilateral ties.
"A golden era beckons both our nations. We share a common culture in our history, shared trust in the present, and shared prosperity in our future," PM Modi said, adding that India and Indonesia would work to realize "the visions of 'Indonesia Emas' (Golden Indonesia) and a developed India".
PM Modi also pointed to new cooperation on democratic governance, saying:"We are set to further strengthen our democratic cooperation through an MoU between the Election Commissions of both nations", noting shared positions on regional security.
