Ananya Lohia , Delhi- In a major diplomatic milestone for India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred Indonesia's highest civilian honour, the Bintang Adipurna, during his official visit to Jakarta. The prestigious award reflects the growing strategic partnership between India and Indonesia and recognises Modi's contribution to strengthening bilateral ties.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto personally presented the honour to Prime Minister Modi during a grand ceremonial welcome in Jakarta. In a rare gesture, Modi's aircraft was escorted by Indonesian Air Force F-16 and Su-30 fighter jets before landing. The Prime Minister is on the first leg of his three-nation tour, which also includes Australia and New Zealand, aimed at boosting cooperation in trade, defence, technology, maritime security and critical minerals.

The visit is expected to produce several landmark agreements, including the joint development of the strategically located Sabang Port near the Strait of Malacca, expansion of defence ties through BrahMos missile and Astra missile cooperation, and new partnerships in critical minerals, clean energy and electronic voting technology.

The conferment of Indonesia's highest honour marks another significant achievement for India's global diplomacy. With major strategic agreements on the horizon, the visit is expected to elevate India-Indonesia relations to a new level and further strengthen India's role in the Indo-Pacific region.