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Indonesian President's ‘Indian DNA’ remark leaves PM Modi, VP Dhankhar in splits

Indonesian President Prawobo Subianto was the chief guest at Sunday's Republic Day parade in Delhi.

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In a video screengrab shared by ANI, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar is seen seated to the right of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who is standing, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi sits to Subianto’s left. The three leaders are seen laughing together in a lighthearted moment.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's remark about having "Indian DNA" brought smiles and laughter to PM Modi, Vice President Dhankhar, and others during a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu.

Subianto, who was the chief guest at Sunday’s Republic Day parade in Delhi, made the witty comment at a banquet held in his honor at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday evening. Sharing a personal anecdote, Subianto said, A few weeks ago, I underwent genetic sequencing and a DNA test. The results revealed that I have Indian DNA. Everyone knows that whenever I hear Indian music, I start dancing. His humorous comment was met with laughter, including from PM Modi and Vice President Dhankhar, who appeared particularly amused by the remark.

Subianto further elaborated on the deep-rooted civilizational ties between India and Indonesia, emphasizing the influence of ancient Indian culture on Indonesian language and traditions. He said, We share civilizational links. Even today, a significant portion of our language originates from Sanskrit. Many places and names in Indonesia are rooted in Sanskrit, and the impact of ancient Indian civilization is deeply embedded in our daily lives. It feels like it’s a part of our genetics.

He also expressed admiration for PM Modi’s leadership, particularly his dedication to poverty reduction and uplifting marginalized communities. I am not a professional politician or a seasoned diplomat—I speak from the heart. During my short time here, I have learned a great deal from Prime Minister Modi’s leadership and his commitment to progress, Subianto remarked.

The Indonesian President also conveyed his pride and joy in visiting India, wishing its people prosperity, peace, and continued greatness.

Subianto is the fourth Indonesian President to be honored as the chief guest at India’s Republic Day parade. The tradition began in 1950 with Indonesia’s first President, Sukarno, followed by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2011 and Joko Widodo in 2018.

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