Jakarta: If it’s a matter concerning India and Indonesia, how can Biju Patnaik’s name not come up?
The former chief minister of Odisha played a stellar role in Indonesia’s independence movement nearly eight decades back.
Addressing the Indonesian Parliament on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said as India and Indonesia were entering a “golden era”, it was Biju babu who was the architect behind close bilateral ties.
“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,” said Modi, who is on a three-day visit to Indonesia.
“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 Prime Minister further said.
#WATCH | Jakarta, Indonesia | Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, “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… pic.twitter.com/wNtDvy2cnA
— ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2026
Biju babu was a trained pilot who played crucial roles during the Indian freedom movement, Indonesian freedom struggle and the 1962 Indo-China war.
In July 1947, he was directed by Jawaharlal Nehru to carry out mission Indonesia. As the Dutch had invaded Java, then-Indonesian PM Sutan Sjahrir and Vice-President Mohammad Hatta could not travel to India to attend the first Inter-Asia Conference.
On Nehru’s request, Biju babu and his wife flew into the conflict zone in a Dakota and managed to fly out the Indonesian leaders in a daring mission, showing exemplary courage.
Indonesia has not forgotten Patnaik’s help even today. His role was acknowledged in 1955 when Indonesia presented him the Bintang Jasa Utama (First Class of Star of Service).
Patnaik had a personal bond with Indonesia as well. After his heroic deed, then-President Sukarno asked him to name his newborn daughter. Biju babu and his wife named her Megawati, who went on to become Indonesia’s first female president in 2001.
When Patnaik passed away in 1997, Indonesia declared seven days of state mourning.