Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid tribute to former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, highlighting his contribution to Indonesia's struggle for independence during an address to the Indonesian Parliament in Jakarta.
Referring to the shared historical journey of the two countries, Modi said, "Both our nations gained independence around the same time: Indonesia in 1945 and India in 1947".
Recalling India's backing for Indonesia during its fight for sovereignty, the Prime Minister said the country had emerged as a "strong voice in support of Indonesia's independence movement at the United Nations," adding, "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," he added.
Before entering politics and eventually serving as Odisha's Chief Minister, Biju Patnaik, the late father of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, was a pilot in the Indian Air Force.
In 1947, as Indonesia continued its armed conflict with the Dutch despite having declared independence two years earlier, then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru ordered a rescue mission to evacuate Indonesian Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir and Vice President Mohammad Hatta, who were trapped under a Dutch blockade.
The Dutch had launched a large-scale military campaign to re-establish colonial rule, placing the two leaders and several other prominent figures of the Indonesian leadership under house arrest.
Assigned to carry out the mission, Biju Patnaik and his wife and co-pilot, Gyanwati Patnaik, flew a Douglas C-47 military transport aircraft, popularly known as a Dakota, and successfully brought the Indonesian leaders out of the country through Singapore.
During the operation, the aircraft reportedly encountered threats from the Dutch, who warned they would shoot it down. Reports said Patnaik responded with a warning of his own, stating that any attack would invite retaliation from India.
In recognition of his role, Indonesia later conferred honorary citizenship on Biju Patnaik.
Speaking about the future of bilateral ties, Modi said India and Indonesia were poised to enter a "golden chapter" in their relationship that would have a "profoundly positive impact on the 21st Century and on humanity as a whole".
Following extensive bilateral discussions, Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced that New Delhi and Jakarta would broaden cooperation into several new sectors, including defence, technology, healthcare, maritime security, education, critical minerals and digital connectivity.
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