Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid tribute to legendary Odisha leader Biju Patnaik during his address to the Indonesian Parliament, describing his courageous 1947 rescue mission as a defining moment that brought India and Indonesia closer.
Speaking in Jakarta during his official visit, Modi recalled Biju Patnaik’s extraordinary contribution to Indonesia’s independence movement and highlighted the deep historical friendship shared by the two nations.
PM Modi Recalls Biju Patnaik’s Historic Role
Addressing Indonesian lawmakers, Modi said India and Indonesia achieved independence around the same period and stood together during Indonesia’s struggle for sovereignty.
He noted that India strongly supported Indonesia’s independence movement at the United Nations and praised Biju Patnaik for risking his life to rescue Indonesian leaders during a critical period.
“The role played by the respected Biju Patnaik during that period—the way he safely brought Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir and Vice President Mohammad Hatta to India—brought the two nations closer,” Modi said.
Maritime Ties Continue to Unite India and Indonesia
Highlighting the long-standing relationship between the two countries, Modi said the sea has always connected India and Indonesia rather than separated them.
He described maritime connectivity as a vital pillar of the bilateral partnership and said it will continue to shape cooperation across the Indo-Pacific region.
“For India and Indonesia, the sea has never represented distance. It has always been a bridge between our nations and remains central to our shared future,” the Prime Minister said.
Biju Patnaik’s Daring 1947 Rescue Mission
Biju Patnaik played a crucial role in Indonesia’s freedom struggle against Dutch colonial rule in 1947.
At the request of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, the young pilot undertook a high-risk mission to rescue Indonesian Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir and Vice President Mohammad Hatta, who had been placed under house arrest by Dutch authorities.
Despite a strict Dutch blockade and threats that his aircraft would be shot down, Patnaik flew a Douglas C-47 Dakota aircraft into Indonesian airspace along with his co-pilot and wife Gyanwati Patnaik.
According to historical accounts, Patnaik warned that any attack on his aircraft would invite retaliation against Dutch aircraft over Indian skies.
The rescue mission succeeded, and Sjahrir and Hatta were flown safely through Singapore before arriving in New Delhi on July 24, 1947.
Mission Helped Strengthen International Support
The successful operation enabled Indonesian leaders to mobilise international opinion against Dutch military action and drew global attention to Indonesia’s independence movement.
Biju Patnaik’s courage earned him lasting respect in Indonesia, where he is remembered as one of the international figures who supported the country’s fight for freedom.
Modi’s remarks highlighted the enduring historical ties between India and Indonesia and reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to expanding cooperation in defence, maritime security, trade, technology and regional connectivity.
