Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he has copied many of the prime minister's governance policies [1].
The admission signals a strategic shift in Indonesia's approach to domestic growth and a desire to strengthen bilateral ties by emulating India's development trajectory [3].
Speaking during an event in Jakarta on May 28, 2026 [1], Subianto praised the Indian leader's career and the effectiveness of his administration's programs. The remarks were made during a gathering that sources described as either a community event or a banquet luncheon [1, 2].
"I follow your career, copied your programmes," Subianto said [4].
Subianto said that he had specifically studied the governance model utilized by Modi to implement similar strategies within Indonesia [1]. The president's candid praise highlights a level of alignment between the two nations regarding economic management, and state leadership.
"I copied many of your programmes," Subianto said [3].
Reports on the meeting varied regarding specific diplomatic outcomes. Some accounts indicated that the praise coincided with discussions on educational expansions, including plans for Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) campuses in Indonesia [3]. Other reports mentioned agreements involving BrahMos-Astra missiles, though these were not mentioned in all accounts of the event [3].
"I have studied Modi’s governance model and copied many of his policies," Subianto said [1].
“"I follow your career, copied your programmes."”
This public acknowledgment suggests that Indonesia views India's recent economic and administrative strategies as a viable blueprint for its own emerging economy. By explicitly aligning his governance style with Modi's, President Subianto is not only seeking technical policy transfers but is also strengthening the geopolitical bond between two of Asia's largest democracies to counterbalance other regional influences.
