Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s visit to Indonesia’s UNESCO-listed Prambanan Temple highlights India’s commitment to preserving shared civilisational heritage. India and Indonesia have launched a conservation project for the historic temple complex, reinforcing cultural diplomacy while expanding heritage restoration initiatives across several Asian nations.
Key Highlights
- India and Indonesia sign LoI for Prambanan Temple conservation.
- Prambanan is Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple complex and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- India has restored heritage sites across nine Asian countries since 2014.
- The initiative strengthens cultural diplomacy and regional partnerships.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the iconic Prambanan Temple in Indonesia, marking another step in India’s efforts to preserve shared civilisational heritage. During the visit, India and Indonesia exchanged a Letter of Intent (LoI) to jointly undertake conservation work at the UNESCO-listed temple complex in Yogyakarta.
The agreement followed high-level talks between PM Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and promoting a stable Indo-Pacific region.
Built in the 10th century, the Prambanan Temple is Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple complex and is dedicated primarily to Lord Shiva. Its magnificent architecture, Ramayana carvings and towering temples make it one of Southeast Asia’s most significant cultural landmarks.
Since 2014, India has expanded its heritage conservation efforts across Asia by supporting restoration projects in Bangladesh, Vietnam, Myanmar, Nepal, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka and Bahrain. These initiatives aim to protect ancient monuments while strengthening historical and cultural ties.
The Prambanan conservation project reflects India’s growing role in preserving global heritage through cultural diplomacy. It also reinforces centuries-old links between India and Southeast Asia while encouraging tourism, research and people-to-people exchanges.
