During his visit to India as the chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations on Sunday, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto revealed that a genetic sequencing test had shown he possesses “Indian DNA.”

Subianto made this remark at a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday. Rashtrapati Bhavan later shared a video clip of his speech on Sunday.

“I would like to report to the President, Prime Minister, Vice-President… a few weeks ago, I had my genetic sequencing test and my DNA test, and they tell me that I have Indian DNA. And everybody knows when I hear Indian music, I start dancing… it must be part of my make-up,” seen in a video clip of Subianto saying that.

Subianto, seated at a high table next to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, added, “I am not a professional politician, not a good diplomat. I say what’s in my heart. I (have) come here (for a) few days, but I learnt a lot… from Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, programmes and your commitment to alleviate poverty, to help the marginalised, to help the weakest part of your society is an inspiration for us.”

During the evening, an Indonesian delegation, including several ministers, delighted attendees by performing the 1998 Bollywood hit song ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, surprising everyone present with their lively rendition.

The visiting President also spoke extensively about the ancient civilisational connections between Indonesia and India, expressing his desire for the two nations to “continue to be close partners and friends.”

Welcoming President Prabowo Subianto, President Droupadi Murmu highlighted the deep civilisational ties between India and Indonesia spanning thousands of years. She remarked, “The values of pluralism, inclusiveness and rule of law are common to both countries, and these shared values have given direction to our contemporary relations.”

Murmu also reflected on “the millennia-old civilisational links,” mentioning the ‘Bali Jatra’ festival celebrated in Odisha. This festival commemorates the ancient maritime expeditions of Indian seafarers and traders to Bali and other parts of the Indo-Pacific region. She emphasised Indonesia’s significant role as a key pillar in India’s ‘Act East’ policy and Indo-Pacific Vision.

Adding to the cultural camaraderie, Indonesia’s Genderang Suling Canka Lokananta, a 190-member band from the Indonesian Military Academy, participated in the Republic Day parade on Sunday, further strengthening the bond between the two nations.