India-Indonesia Ties: PM Modi Praises Biju Patnaik for His Crucial Role in Indonesia’s Fight for Independence During Jakarta Visit

VoM News Desk | July 7, 2026 | 10:05 PM IST | Breaking News, India, World | Follow on Google News

India-Indonesia Ties: PM Modi Praises Biju Patnaik for His Crucial Role in Indonesia’s Fight for Independence During Jakarta Visit

JAKARTA, July 7 [VoM News]: Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the former Chief Minister of Odisha, Biju Patnaik, on Monday for his instrumental role in the Indonesian independence movement, highlighting his actions as a testament to the unwavering friendship between the two nations.

In a speech to the Indonesian Parliament, Modi reminisced about India’s unwavering support for Indonesia’s bid for independence after both countries shed their colonial chains in the middle of the 20th century. He emphasized Biju Patnaik’s bold and perilous journey to extract Indonesian leaders Sutan Sjahrir and Mohammad Hatta amid the Dutch military onslaught in 1947.

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Patnaik, who was then an aviator, with his co-pilot wife Gyanwati Patnaik, navigated a Dakota plane to safely airlift the Indonesian leaders to India, despite the alleged threats from Dutch forces. In recognition of his support for Indonesia’s freedom movement, Patnaik was later bestowed with honorary citizenship by the nation.

Modi remarked that this historic incident reinforced the bonds between India and Indonesia and expressed optimism that both countries were poised to embark on a “golden chapter” in their collaborative endeavors.

After a bilateral discussion with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, the two nations reached an agreement to enhance their collaboration in various sectors including defense, technology, healthcare, maritime security, education, critical minerals, and digital connectivity.

VoM News Desk

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