'Brought India, Indonesia closer': PM Modi heaps big praise on Biju Patnaik

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday praised former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik for his role in Indonesia's independence movement, saying his actions helped bring India and Indonesia closer.Addressing the Indonesian parliament in Jakarta, PM Modi recalled that India strongly backed Indonesia's sovereignty at the United Nations after both countries gained independence in the 1940s.Highlighting Patnaik's contribution, PM Modi said, "The role played by the respected Biju Patnaik during that period- the way he safely brought Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir and Vice President Mohammad Hatta to India brought the two nations closer."The praise came because Patnaik's his historic role in supporting Indonesia's independence movement in 1947. Then a pilot and founder of Kalinga Airlines, Patnaik flew his Dakota DC-3 aircraft into Dutch-controlled territory, evaded Dutch forces, and safely evacuated Indonesian nationalist leaders, including Mohammad Hatta and Sutan Sjahrir, bringing them to India.The daring mission strengthened ties between the two countries, earned Patnaik the friendship of Indonesia's first President Sukarno, and led to him being honoured with the title "Bhoomi Putra" (Son of the Soil)."Both our nations gained independence around the same time: Indonesia in 1945 and India in 1947. When it came to sovereignty as independent nations, India became a strong voice in support of Indonesia's independence movement at the United Nations," PM Modi said.PM Modi is on a three-day visit to Indonesia. During the visit, he held wide-ranging talks with President Prabowo Subianto, reviewing the full spectrum of the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including trade and investment, defence, maritime cooperation, digital and financial technology, energy, healthcare, space, critical minerals, culture, tourism, agriculture and people-to-people ties.The two leaders also welcomed the launch of the Indonesia Open Network (ION), modelled on India's Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore's visit to Indonesia in 2027, PM Modi announced that both countries would jointly observe the year as the "Tagore-Dewantara Year for Cultural and Educational Diplomacy," according to the ministry of external affairs.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.