PM Modi begins Indonesia visit; pays homage to martyrs
What's the story
PM Narendra Modi today began his Indonesia visit by laying a wreath at the Kalibata National Heroes' Cemetery in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, paying homage to martyrs of the country's independence struggle. He is on his first-ever official Indonesia visit and will meet President Joko Widodo today to discuss bilateral cooperation in a broad range of areas, including maritime, trade and investment. Here's more
Tweets
PM and MEA spokesperson tweet their Indonesia status
The Kalibata Heroes' Cemetery in South Jakarta is a military cemetery in Indonesia. Modi said in a tweet, "Paid tributes at the iconic Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in Jakarta." External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet: "Lest we forget...Paying homage to martyrs of Indonesian independence struggle! PM @narendramodi laying wreath at the Kalibata National Heroes' Cemetery and signing the Visitor's Book."
The cemetery
More than 7,000 military veterans buried at the cemetery
Kalibata Heroes' Cemetery, built in 1953, was opened in November 1954 when the first burial took place. Over 7,000 people, who are military casualties and veterans from Indonesian War of Independence are buried at the cemetery. Modi arrived in Jakarta yesterday on the first leg of his three-nation tour to East Asia to cement the political, economic, and strategic interest of the two nations.