Celebrating the 77th Years of Anniversary of Indonesia Independence Day
His Excellency Minister of State for External Relations and Education, Excellencies Ambassadors and High Commissioners, Honourable Guests, Ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening… Namaskar
Assalamualaikum, May Peace Be Upon Us All, Warmest greetings from Rumah Indonesia, the House of Indonesia, Allow me to first welcome all of you to the diplomatic reception to celebrate the 77th Years Anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Day and 77th Anniversary of Indonesia’s Armed Forces.
I am also deeply honoured to welcome our Chief Guest, H.E. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Minister of State for External Relations and Education, Tonight’s event is very special to our Embassy for two reasons….
It is our first diplomatic reception after two years of hiatus [hai·ay·tuhs] because of the pandemic….
And secondly, it is my first time hosting a National Day reception as Ambassador to India…
August is a very important month for both India and Indonesia…
On 15 of August this year India celebrates its 75 years of independence, while Indonesia celebrates its 77th Independence Day on 17 of August.
And for that on behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Indonesia… I also wish to express my sincere congratulation to the people of India on its 75th Anniversary of the Independence…
Equally important, in August this year…. ASEAN celebrates its 55 years anniversary…. And this year also, ASEAN and India celebrate the ASEAN-India Friendship Year, marking the 30 years of partnership…
Tonight…. we also hold this event to celebrate the 77th Anniversary of the TNI or Indonesian National Armed Forces, which was established on 5 October 1945.
With its motto Tri Dharma Eka Karma which translates into ‘Three services, One Determination’, we are very proud of our National Armed Forces… because they have always been the main guardian of our nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity…. This fits very much with the theme of the celebration… which is “TNI is us”…
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Indonesia and India close relationship can be traced back two thousand years ago…..
This relationship is often traced to thin junctures…… with many evidences found in mythology and archaeology… Ramayana and temples are most obvious….
Both countries shared significant history… when India, in the lead-up to its independence… supported and even campaigned for Indonesia’s right to its own…. And in the post-colonial, both nations forged together to realize the Bandung Conference of 1955…
One of the most historic moments in our bilateral relation was when Indonesia’s First President, Soekarno, attended India’s first Republic Day as the Chief Guest in 1950….
The visit of President Soekarno and the appointment of Indonesia’s first Ambassador to India in 1950 marked the beginning of Indonesia’s diplomatic relations with India…. And this year, we celebrate the even stronger and deeper of 73 years of bilateral partnership….
Strong commitments of both countries to boost the relations covering broader areas of cooperation are seen by many…
In particular… When our Leaders elevated the status of partnership into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in May 2018…. And share their view on the Indo-Pacific that is reflected in the Shared Vision of Maritime Cooperation in the Indo- Pacific….
At the global fora, Indonesia and India also forging closer its relations… as both countries become back-to-back Presidency of G20 in 2022 and 2023.
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Covid-19 pandemic has reminded us how interdependent we are…. what happens to one person can soon affect many others…even on the far side of our planet.
The interdependency shows us the significance of partnership, cooperation, and building bridges of understanding…
Because of this strong reason…. We truly value our partners… As we believe that Indonesia has thrived and survived the Covid 19 pandemic because of our friends…. particularly India…
In the next decade, many say that India and Indonesia are projected to be among five largest economies in the world… We believe the relations will become significantly paramount in the future… not only for Indonesia and India…but also for ASEAN… the Indo Pacific region… and beyond….
Before this diplomatic reception, the Embassy held an “Appreciation Afternoon” by inviting Friends of Indonesia…. From businesses, associations, media, journalists, think-tanks, and academicians…..
Today’s two celebrations are our way to say…
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, Indonesia and India must set an even higher ambition in our bilateral cooperation…
As we currently deal with many global challenges… from the impact of pandemic to the food, energy, and finance crises….
We need to push for an even closer and deeper collaboration…
As such… Indonesia and India’s next role in G20 and ASEAN are significant in bridging the partnership, advancing the cooperation….
In November 2022 Indonesia will hand over the Presidency of G20 to India… and Indonesia will begin its journey as the Chair of ASEAN for one year since 1st January 2023…
It will be the Embassy and its whole team determination to continue working closely with the Government and the people of India to make our bilateral relationships stronger in the coming years…
And to conclude, I would like to invite you all to look around the venue… to have a taste of Indonesia through tea, coffee, snacks, cigar, cuisines, as well as to know more about Indonesia’s defence industry… Thank you to all parties which I cannot mention one by one… for the supports to make the event a success….
As thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder, I would like to thank you for your kindest attention and attendance, and to wish you all a pleasant and enjoyable evening…
Terima Kasih, Thank You, Danyavaad.
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