There may be a floating museum between India and Indonesia soon. Come November, Odisha gets ready for its annual Bali Yatra festival—held on the full moon—to commemorate the day when traders took to the seas to travel to Bali, Java in ancient times. Giving this a modern twist—with a dose of diplomacy—the India-Indonesia Eminent Persons’ Group, appointed to forge better relations between the two countries, has recommended that an Indian Navy ship recreate this experience.
The ship could have an exhibition—put together by the national museum of India and Indonesia—that will highlight how deep these bonds of culture really are. The report submitted to the leaders of both the countries lays emphasis on recreating and increasing softer ties between India and Indonesia—from exchange of students to cultural icons and even tourism promotional events between the two countries.
The EPG, formed to review the relations between the two countries and to explore ways to deepen the cooperation, released its report post the visit of the Indonesian President Joko Widodo to India.
While the two countries have been making strides in other areas—defence and even commerce—it is really civilisation links that will bring them closer. “Track II dialogues would be a good way to explore new ideas for cooperation between the two countries,’’ stated the report. It would be “desirable’’ to encourage regular dialogues at the Track II level. States in India should also be encouraged to establish direct links and ties with provinces in Indonesia.
Going beyond just the softer side of diplomacy, the EPG also noted that Indonesia too had been “affected by China’s maritime incursions into Indonesian waters off the Natuna Islands”. It was suggested that there be closer ties and military exchanges between both countries. UN Peacekeeping was another area that the two countries could cooperate in and promote exercises and training exchanges.