New Delhi: In a major boost to India’s soft-power diplomacy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his official three-day state visit to Indonesia from July 6 to 8, to showcase the nation’s rich tapestry of regional craftsmanship.
Among a carefully curated selection of masterfully crafted cultural artifacts presented to Indonesian leaders, was a traditional Odisha Ikat silk handloom, presented to the Speaker of the Indonesian Parliament, Puan Maharani. The choice of gifts highlights India’s strategy of utilising traditional heritage to fortify contemporary diplomatic, maritime, and economic alliances in the Indo-Pacific.
Te Odisha Ikat (locally known as Bandha) is a handloom silk tradition that directly echoes centuries of shared history between eastern India and the Indonesian archipelago. It carries immense historical weight. For over a millennium, ancient seafarers from the Kalinga region (modern-day Odisha) sailed to the islands of Java, Sumatra, and Bali to trade textiles and spices, a historical link celebrated to this day in Odisha through the annual Bali Jatra festival.
By gifting this specific fabric, PM Modi subtly invoked these deep-rooted maritime and cultural bonds t
hat predate modern diplomacy.
Weaving Global Connections
The Prime Minister also presented several exquisite artisanal items to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, celebrating the diversity of Indian craftsmanship:
Aipan Folk Art (Uttarakhand): Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this geometric, white rice-paste painting on a terracotta base signifies the shared spiritual and artistic heritage of the two nations. It gained added significance as PM Modi and President Subianto joined forces to launch a joint restoration project for the historic, 1,000-year-old Prambanan Shiva Temple complex in Yogyakarta.
Traditional Repoussé Silver Plate: Crafted using intricate chasing techniques, this heavy silver plate featured central lotus and elephant motifs, symbolizing purity, wisdom, and the shared commitments of both nations toward wildlife conservation.
Manohari Gold Tea (Assam): One of the world’s rarest teas, hand-plucked from special clones in Assam and produced in extremely small quantities (roughly 25 grams a day), representing India’s premium agricultural craftsmanship.
Kashmiri Papier-Mâché Bowl: Decorated with traditional Naqashi floral and bird patterns under a high-gloss lacquer, showcasing the delicate elegance of Himalayan artisans.
“When India and Indonesia move forward together, it goes far beyond just ‘kuch kuch’ (something)—it becomes ‘bahut kuch’ (so much more).”— Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the Indian diaspora in Jakarta, playfully shifting a popular Bollywood reference to capture the expanding comprehensive strategic partnership.
In a reciprocal gesture of friendship, President Subianto presented PM Modi with a traditional West Javanese Angklung musical instrument, while also conferring upon him the ‘Bintang Adipurna’—Indonesia’s highest civilian honour.