ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to officially launch the restoration of Indonesia’s iconic Prambanan Temple during his visit to Yogyakarta on July 8, marking a significant milestone in the deepening cultural partnership between India and Indonesia.
The restoration project stems from a commitment made by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Modi in their 2025 Joint Statement, reflecting a shared vision to broaden bilateral cooperation through the preservation of cultural heritage alongside expanding economic and strategic ties.
According to Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Sandeep Chakravorty, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has completed a comprehensive technical assessment of the UNESCO World Heritage site, with the restoration plan now in its final stage of evaluation.
“We believe that when the two leaders meet, they will announce the official commencement of the restoration work,” Chakravorty told reporters in Jakarta on Friday.
The ASI is internationally recognized for its expertise in conserving ancient monuments. The institution previously led the acclaimed restoration of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat and is currently undertaking similar heritage conservation projects in Laos and Vietnam, reinforcing India’s reputation as one of Asia’s leading custodians of cultural heritage.
The Prambanan restoration is expected to further strengthen Yogyakarta’s position as one of Southeast Asia’s leading cultural tourism destinations while attracting more international visitors, particularly from India, one of the world’s fastest-growing outbound travel markets.
Chakravorty said the initiative also represents India’s contribution to Indonesia’s tourism development strategy, including the government’s “10 New Bali” program aimed at promoting new world-class destinations across the archipelago.
Prime Minister Modi will visit Indonesia from July 6 to 8, accompanied by a high-level delegation of cabinet ministers and senior officials. His visit is expected to yield a series of bilateral initiatives spanning cultural cooperation, trade, investment, connectivity, and regional engagement.
More than a heritage conservation project, the restoration of Prambanan reflects the growing importance of cultural diplomacy in contemporary international relations.
By preserving one of Southeast Asia’s most significant Hindu temple complexes, Indonesia and India are reinforcing centuries-old civilizational links while creating new opportunities for tourism, academic collaboration, and people-to-people exchanges.
As both countries expand cooperation across the Indo-Pacific, the Prambanan initiative stands as a tangible symbol of a partnership that increasingly combines shared history with future-oriented collaboration, demonstrating how cultural heritage can strengthen trust, deepen strategic engagement, and generate long-term economic and diplomatic value. (AT Network)
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