"My DNA is Indian": Indonesian President's Interesting Remarks

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, attending India’s Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest, made intriguing remarks highlighting his deep connection with India. He revealed that recent genetic (DNA) tests indicated his roots trace back to India.

President Subianto’s comments came during a banquet hosted by Indian President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday evening. The event, held to mark Republic Day, was attended by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers, and several dignitaries. In his speech, Subianto managed to elicit hearty laughter from the audience.

Subianto noted, “A few days ago, I underwent genetic analysis (DNA tests), and it showed that I have Indian DNA.” He added that many people know he enjoys dancing enthusiastically to Indian music, which might reflect his Indian heritage. His remarks drew laughter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and other attendees.

Highlighting the long-standing historical ties between India and Indonesia, Subianto remarked that the two nations share a rich cultural legacy. He emphasized that both countries’ languages have their roots in Sanskrit, and many names in Indonesia are derived from Sanskrit. Furthermore, he pointed out the strong influence of ancient Indian civilization in everyday life in Indonesia, suggesting that such influences might even be embedded in their genetic makeup.

President Subianto also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership during his address.