Modi highlights India-Indonesia ties and 1947 rescue

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the historic ties between India and Indonesia, paying tribute to a pivotal 1947 rescue mission by Indian pilot Biju Patnaik, during an address to the Indonesian Parliament in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

In his speech, Modi described the bilateral relationship as one forged through shared history, culture, and values. He noted that both nations gained independence around the same time and that India was a strong voice supporting Indonesia’s sovereignty at the United Nations. The prime minister specifically recalled the role of Biju Patnaik, who later served as chief minister of Odisha, in bringing the two countries closer.

Patnaik undertook a high-risk mission in 1947 at the request of India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. Following a Dutch military offensive aimed at re-establishing colonial rule after World War II, Indonesian Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir and Vice President Mohammad Hatta were placed under house arrest. Nehru tasked the 31-year-old Patnaik with evacuating the leaders to enable them to rally international support for Indonesia’s independence.

Flying a Douglas C-47 Dakota transport aircraft, Patnaik,...