NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted an aerial video of Indonesia’s Prambanan Temple on Saturday, describing the 9th‑century Hindu sanctuary as “majestic” and highlighting the historic bond between the two nations. The footage, shared on the Prime Minister’s official social‑media channels, showed the sprawling stone complex perched on a hill near Yogyakarta, a UNESCO World Heritage site visited by millions of tourists each year.
Context of the visit
Modi’s remarks came during his three‑day state visit to Indonesia, the first by an Indian prime minister in more than a decade. The itinerary included meetings with President Joko Widodo, a joint press conference on defence cooperation, and a cultural delegation tour of heritage sites in Central Java. The visit is part of a broader Indo‑Indonesian partnership that this year marked its 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
In a statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs, the two governments affirmed their intent to expand collaboration in tourism, heritage conservation and renewable energy. The statement noted that both countries share a legacy of ancient maritime trade routes that linked the Indian subcontinent with the Indonesian archipelago.
Prambanan’s significance
Built between 850 and 925 CE, Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple complex in Southeast Asia. Its towering spires, dedicated to the Trimurti of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, exemplify the classic Central Javanese architectural style. UNESCO inscribed the site on its World Heritage List in 1991, citing its outstanding universal value and the need for ongoing preservation.
India’s Ministry of Culture has long supported heritage projects in Indonesia, including a 2022 grant for the restoration of the temple’s stone carvings. During the visit, Modi met with Indonesian cultural officials to discuss a joint research programme on ancient Sanskrit inscriptions found at Prambanan.
Economic and tourism angles
India’s Ministry of Tourism estimates that bilateral visitor arrivals could rise by 15 % over the next five years if promotional campaigns leverage iconic sites such as Prambanan. The Ministry’s latest data show that in 2025, 1.2 million Indian tourists visited Indonesia, making it the country’s third‑largest source market after China and Malaysia.
During the visit, the Indian delegation toured a proposed “Indo‑Indonesian Heritage Corridor” that would link Prambanan with India’s own UNESCO sites, including the Sun Temple at Konark and the Khajuraho Group of Monuments. Officials said the corridor could attract an additional 200,000 tourists annually, generating an estimated ₹1.8 billion in revenue for both economies.
Conservation cooperation
Both governments reiterated their commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage against climate‑related threats. Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry highlighted recent efforts to mitigate erosion around the temple complex, while India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences offered technical assistance on climate‑resilient stone preservation techniques.
In a joint press briefing, the ministries announced a memorandum of understanding that will fund a three‑year pilot project to monitor micro‑climatic conditions at Prambanan using sensors supplied by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The project aims to develop a data‑driven model for preventive conservation, a first of its kind in the region.
Political symbolism
Modi’s public endorsement of Prambanan aligns with his administration’s emphasis on “cultural diplomacy” as a pillar of foreign policy. By foregrounding a Hindu monument in a predominantly Muslim nation, the prime minister underscored the pluralistic heritage that links the two societies.
Analysts note that the timing of the visit coincides with Indonesia’s upcoming presidential election, where cultural heritage has emerged as a campaign theme. While the prime minister’s remarks were not framed as political commentary, they are likely to resonate with voters who value Indonesia’s pre‑Islamic history.
Public reaction
Social‑media users in both countries responded positively to the video, sharing images of the temple and praising the bilateral friendship. The Ministry of External Affairs reported that the post garnered over 1.2 million views and 45,000 engagements within the first 24 hours.
Critics, however, cautioned that heritage tourism must be balanced with preservation needs. Environmental NGOs in Indonesia called for stricter visitor caps during peak seasons to protect the fragile stonework.
Looking ahead
Modi is scheduled to return to New Delhi on Monday, where he will brief the cabinet on the outcomes of the visit. The foreign ministry plans to submit a detailed report on the joint initiatives discussed, with a view to formalising the heritage corridor and conservation projects before the end of the year.
