Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed his awe for the world-famous Bali Yatra in Cuttack in his address to Indian community in Indonesia’s Bali.
Speaking to the Indian community on the sidelines of his participation at the G20 summit, Modi praised the annual trade and commerce fair held every year on the banks of the Mahanadi river in Cuttack. Bali Yatra commemorates the rich maritime history of Odisha and its ancient trade affairs with Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka.
“As I speak to you in Bali and we sing songs of Indonesian traditions, 1500 km away from here in India's Cuttack, Bali Yatra (Bali Jatra) Mahotsav is going on. This Mahotsav celebrates thousands of years old India-Indonesia trade relations, the Prime Minister said.
Also Read: Glimpses of Bali Yatra in Odia Literature
Modi further exuded happiness saying people of Indonesia will be proud and happy when they see photos of this year's Bali Jatra on the internet.
“Due to the issues arising due to COVID, some hurdles had cropped up. After several yrs, Bali Jatra Mahotsav is being celebrated on a grand scale with mass participation in Odisha,” said the PM.
India and Indonesia have helped each other preserve the wondrous cultures of their lands. Bali is a pristine land which saw great saints like Maharshi Agastya. We are united through cultures - If India has the Himalayas and Ganga while Indonesia has Mount Agung and Tirta Ganga, he said.
The Prime Minister further highlighted the contribution of Indian diaspora in the growth story of Indonesia.
In its 75-year-old long development journey, there is a lot that India can give to Indonesia. Relations between India and Indonesia stand strong during both good and difficult times, PM Modi said while reiterating the statement he made during his last visit to the Southeast Asian country in 2018.
India and Indonesia may be 90 nautical miles apart, but in reality, we are not 90 nautical miles apart but 90 nautical miles close, he said.