New Delhi: President Prabowo Subianto has had good words for India ever since he landed in the country on January 25. He is the fourth Indonesian president to grace the Republic Day event, and this also marked his first visit to the nation after having assumed office as the President of Indonesia. Indonesia is an important ally for India, a strong partner in the Indo-Pacific region, and a supportive friend when it comes to keeping China on its toes. If ever there was a ‘friends with benefits’ coinage in diplomacy, India and Indonesia would come close to the title!

Little wonder then that Subianto finds himself “connected” to the Indian roots. At a sit down dinner hosted in his honour at President Murmu’s residence on Sunday, the Indonesian president quipped – “A few weeks ago I had my genetic sequencing test and my DNA test and they told me that I have Indian DNA. Everybody knows when I hear Indian music, I start dancing.” The statement did two things – made us laugh, and also made us swell with pride. As Indians, this praise is the highest in any order, and what better day than January 26 for us to be reminded of our rich past and ancestry.

Truly touching. But president Subianto’s statement also brought to focus the entire debate on why such fuss around the Arab legacy if Indian DNA was most sought after? India’s rich cultural and genetic legacy, historical, religious, and social factors often drive the preference for associating with Arab roots. This dynamic raises questions about how heritage is perceived and celebrated across different nations.

Before we analyse the reason behind this global fetish, there is a case to highlight Indonesia as a model country for upholding their faith........

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