India-Indonesia Cultural Ties: A Deep And Enduring Connection – OpEd
By Dr. Rahul Mishra and Prisie L. Patnayak
India and Indonesia are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations this year. To mark the occasion, India invited the Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as the Chief Guest at its Republic Day parade on 26 January.
During Prabowo’s visit, while defence, security, connectivity, and trade cooperation issues remained important, cultural cooperation was not amiss in deliberations or even the visit outcomes in the form of a signed Memorandum of Understanding.
For instance, during Prabowo’s visit, the two sides signed a Cultural Exchange Programme (2025-2028), to provide avenues for sharing knowledge on various aspects of cultural cooperation. Moreover, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned the centuries-old Bali Jatra in his speech, the joint statement highlighted the willingness of the two sides to ‘explore India’s assistance in the preservation and restoration of the temples at the Prambanan Temple Compounds World Heritage site.’
This demonstrates the importance India and Indonesia attach to the roots of their relationship that extend far beyond their modern achievement, dating back over two millennia. At the core of this enduring relationship lies a rich and intricate cultural connection, which has played a pivotal role in shaping the interactions between these two nations. The historical roots of this bond can be traced back to ancient trade routes that facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultural practices and laid the foundation for the vibrant cultural landscape that continues to thrive today.
India’s influence in Indonesia, particularly on the island of Java, unfolded in three distinct phases. The earliest influence arrived through Buddhism in the 2nd century AD, followed by the Vedic traditions in the 5th century AD, and later, the Hindu Trimurti phase in the 8th century AD. These periods of cultural exchange left lasting imprints on Indonesia’s architecture, language, writing systems, and artistic traditions. The profound impact of these stages can still be observed in the monumental structures and cultural artefacts that define the region.
The temples of Bali, Borobudur, and Prambanan stand as towering symbols of this ancient connection, showcasing the artistic and architectural legacy of India in Indonesia. The intricate carvings, temple designs, and statues within these sites are prime examples of Indo-Javanese art, blending Indian motifs and iconography with local influences. The Sanskrit and Pali languages, once at the heart of religious and cultural life in Indonesia, continue to resonate in the region, and the modern Indonesian language (Bahasa) contains numerous loanwords derived from Sanskrit and Hindi.
Among the most enduring cultural legacies of this period are the Indian epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, which continue to shape contemporary Indonesian culture. The Ramayana, for example, not only provides a cultural and religious framework but also references the region of Java and Sumatra, historically known as Suvarnadvipa (the island of gold). These epics have inspired numerous art forms, including Wayang, the traditional puppet theatre. In Java and Bali, Wayang performances—based on stories from the Mahabharata and Ramayana—remain a vibrant feature of cultural life, celebrated at weddings, temple rituals, national holidays, and other significant events.
The influence of Indian epics is also evident in the contemporary popularity of Mahabharata and Ramayana television serials in Indonesia. These serials have enjoyed a dedicated following for decades, further cementing the deep cultural bond between the two nations. To commemorate 70 years of diplomatic relations, in 2019, Indonesia issued a special commemorative stamp depicting a scene from the Ramayana, symbolizing the lasting significance of these narratives in both cultures.
The Bali Jatra festival in India is another testament to the ancient maritime connections between the two nations. More than 2,000 years ago, sailors from Kalinga (modern-day Odisha) journeyed across the Indian Ocean, bringing valuable goods from Indonesia to India. The annual Bali Jatra celebration, held on the auspicious day of Kartik Purnima, honours this ancient maritime trade route, reaffirming the historical ties between India’s eastern coast and Indonesia.
In the contemporary era, Bollywood has become one of the most enduring cultural bridges between India and Indonesia. With a significant fan base across Indonesia, Bollywood films are regularly shown in local cinemas and broadcast on television. Recognizing the shared cultural enthusiasm both countries have worked to foster stronger ties through cinema. In 2020, the Indian Embassy in Jakarta hosted a Bollywood Singing Competition that attracted participants from all over Indonesia. Moreover, in 2024, as part of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the Indonesian Consulate-General in Mumbai organized a film festival that showcased Bollywood and Indonesian cinema, further deepening mutual cultural appreciation. Interestingly, a music band accompanying President Prabowo’s delegation also sang a Bollywood song popular in Indonesia.
The Indian and Indonesian governments have consistently supported efforts to preserve and promote these cultural ties. In 1955, both nations signed a cultural agreement that laid the foundation for extensive bilateral cultural cooperation. This agreement paved the way for initiatives such as setting up the Jawaharlal Nehru Indian Culture Centre in Jakarta in 1989, which serves as a hub for cultural exchange. In 2005, the creation of the Indonesia-India Friendship Association aimed to strengthen people-to-people connections, while in May 2018, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to further solidify cultural diplomacy, including a partnership between the Layang-layang Museum in Jakarta and the Kite Museum in Ahmedabad.
Despite the rich history of cultural exchange, there has been a noticeable decline in efforts to sustain and revitalize these cultural connections in recent decades. Many of Indonesia’s cultural treasures, such as the Borobudur temple—restored in 1983—have not received the level of attention and support from India that might have been expected given their shared heritage. While India has actively contributed to archaeological restoration projects in other Southeast Asian countries, such as Vietnam and Cambodia, the Borobudur restoration did not see significant Indian involvement.
In 2022, an MoU was signed between Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and Hindu and Buddhist leaders to restore and enhance the use of key cultural sites, such as Prambanan and Borobudur. India’s Archaeological Survey should be more involved in these restoration efforts, contributing technical expertise and financial support to safeguard these UNESCO World Heritage sites for future generations.
Similarly, while the Indian Council for Cultural Relations sponsors performances of Wayang in Indonesia, there has been a lack of active promotion of this iconic art form in India itself. Wayang—along with other traditional arts and folk performances—could be better supported and celebrated in India, helping to foster a deeper understanding of Indonesia’s cultural richness.
Additionally, the educational systems of both countries have largely overlooked the shared cultural history between India and Indonesia. Indian students, in particular, are seldom exposed to the extent of India’s historical influence on Indonesian culture. This education gap inhibits the potential for greater mutual understanding. For instance, the Bahasa Indonesia language remains unfamiliar to Indians despite its importance in shaping the linguistic landscape of Southeast Asia. While initiatives like the Indonesian embassy’s Bahasa classes, an Indonesian language and culture certificate course and MA and PhD level courses offered on Southeast Asian political systems, foreign policies and cultures offered at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in India are commendable, more concerted efforts are needed to incorporate this language and other aspects of Indonesian culture into the educational curricula of both countries.
Despite these challenges, there remains significant potential for both India and Indonesia to strengthen their cultural ties. By integrating their shared history into the curricula of schools and universities, expanding language programmes, and focusing on preserving cultural heritage sites, both nations can ensure that their cultural connection continues to flourish. Furthermore, India could offer expertise in restoring archaeological sites, while both countries could collaborate to promote Wayang and other traditional performing arts, fostering a deeper appreciation for their shared history and cultural practices.
By revitalizing these cultural connections, India and Indonesia can continue to build a bridge of understanding and cooperation that spans centuries and strengthens their ties for generations to come.
About the authors:
- Dr Rahul Mishra an Associate Professor at the Centre for Indo-Pacific Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India, and a Senior Research Fellow at the German-Southeast Asian Center of Excellence for Public Policy and Good Governance, Thammasat University, Thailand. Prior to this, he was Director of the Centre for ASEAN Regionalism Universiti Malaya (CARUM), and Coordinator, the European Studies Programme at the Asia-Europe Institute, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Prisie L. Patnayak is a doctoral candidate at the Centre for Indo-Pacific Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India. She can be reached at [email protected]
