Indian All-Party Delegation Plants Trees in Jakarta, Spreads PM Modi’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Message.jpeg)
image via IANS
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image via IANS Jakarta, May 30, 2025 — In a powerful display of diplomacy, soft power, and environmental consciousness, an Indian all-party parliamentary delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha on Friday planted tree saplings at Jakarta’s Gandhi Memorial Intercontinental School, promoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.
This symbolic gesture, honouring the nurturing role of mothers and contributing to environmental sustainability, marks India’s growing influence abroad through inclusive, bipartisan diplomacy.
Reaffirming Gandhian Values Amid Global Tensions
The delegation also paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi’s statue, underlining Gandhiji’s universal values of truth, non-violence, and justice. Speaking on the occasion, Jha emphasized that Gandhi's ideals remain more relevant than ever, especially as India faces external threats to its sovereignty and security.
“Bapu’s timeless ideals continue to guide India’s responses to aggression with courage and dignity,” Jha posted on X.
Interaction with Gandhi Seva Loka and Diaspora Outreach
In their outreach to the local Indian community, the delegation visited Gandhi Seva Loka, one of Indonesia’s oldest Indian diaspora organisations, founded by the Sindhi community and deeply rooted in Gandhian philosophy.
The MPs thanked the Indian diaspora for their resilience, cultural contributions, and continued support of India’s national interests. They also responded to questions about Operation Sindoor, India’s latest anti-terror initiative.
“India’s unified response as a world power, as ‘Vishwa Guru’, needs global amplification,” Jha told members of the diaspora, urging them to stand strong against terrorism.
The Embassy of India in Indonesia echoed these sentiments in a post on X, praising the Indian diaspora for upholding cultural values, promoting tolerance and pluralism, and serving as true ambassadors of India.
Bipartisan Unity on Display
The high-level bipartisan delegation includes:
- BJP MPs: Aparajita Sarangi, Brij Lal, Hemang Joshi, and Pradan Baruah
- Trinamool Congress MP: Abhishek Banerjee
- CPI(M) MP: John Barittas
- Congress leader: Salman Khurshid
- Former Indian Ambassador to France: Mohan Kumar
Speaking to IANS, Brij Lal said:
“I’m proud that a memorial school has been built here in Gandhiji’s name, and that we could plant a sapling under PM Modi’s campaign. This initiative is both a tribute to our mothers and a commitment to future generations.”
Joint Front Against Religious Extremism
Earlier in the day, the Indian delegation met KH Ulil Abshar Abdalla, Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) — the world’s largest Islamic organisation — and Kholili Kholil, NU Committee Member. The leaders expressed solidarity in the fight against religious extremism and violence.
Referring to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, KH Ulil said:
“We feel India’s pain. Indonesia and India must walk hand-in-hand to promote peace and shared prosperity.”
Operation Sindoor: A Global Message
The visit to Indonesia follows successful engagements in Singapore, South Korea, and Japan, where Indian delegates outlined Operation Sindoor’s objectives: combating Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism and reinforcing India's global stance against extremism.
India’s all-party outreach in Indonesia showcases a rare bipartisan unity on critical issues like terrorism, environmental sustainability, and Gandhian values. As the world navigates a fractured geopolitical landscape, India's message of unity, peace, and responsibility is gaining global traction — one sapling, one dialogue at a time.