Putin Invited to Indonesia by President Prabowo: "India Shouldn't Be Your Only Destination"

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto extended a cordial and somewhat humorous diplomatic invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their discussions in Moscow on Wednesday, suggesting that Putin should consider destinations beyond India for his international travels.

Meeting in Russia for their second encounter this year, President Prabowo highlighted the "excellent" bilateral relationship between the two nations and formally invited Putin to make an official state visit to Indonesia in the near future.

With reference to Putin's recent diplomatic journey to India, Prabowo remarked, "I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to visit Indonesia whenever it's convenient for you. Perhaps in 2026 or 2027. We would be delighted to welcome you to our country. After all, India shouldn't be the only country you travel to," which elicited laughter from the Russian President.

The invitation came shortly after Putin's significant visit to India, where he engaged in comprehensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This diplomatic trip was widely interpreted as a powerful demonstration of the robust India-Russia relationship, particularly following increased pressure from the United States after President Donald Trump imposed substantial 50 percent tariffs on India for purchasing Russian oil.

Putin's reception in India featured full ceremonial honors, with Prime Minister Modi personally greeting him at Palam Airport, complete with a guard of honor and red-carpet welcome. Their discussions encompassed defense cooperation, energy partnerships, trade relations, and broader geopolitical issues, reinforcing the enduring strategic alliance between the two nations amid evolving global political dynamics.

During his meetings with Prime Minister Modi, the Russian leader also expressed Moscow's commitment to maintaining energy supplies to India despite external pressures, stating his readiness to ensure "uninterrupted shipments" of fuel.

In his conversation with Prabowo in Moscow, Putin expressed satisfaction with the progress of military cooperation between Russia and Indonesia and indicated Russia's willingness to assist Jakarta with nuclear energy development. While hosting the Indonesian leader at the Kremlin, Putin also mentioned his desire to address what he described as a minor reduction in Russian wheat exports to Indonesia this year.

The meeting highlighted Moscow's strategic efforts to strengthen ties with major nations in the Global South. Indonesia, as the world's fourth most populous country, represents a key partner in this strategy as Russia continues to navigate Western sanctions imposed following the conflict in Ukraine.