MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM ~ The Indian Consulate General in Medan hosted a joint iftar with local media representatives on March 16, 2026. The event provided a strategic platform to deepen media relations and showcase the consulate's initiatives over the past year aimed at strengthening India-Indonesia friendship.
Media Engagement and Initiative HighlightsDuring the gathering, the Indian Consul General shared updates on various consular initiatives, including economic cooperation, cultural programs, and community engagement. Covering ten provinces across Sumatra—North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Bengkulu, South Sumatra, Aceh, Riau Islands, Jambi, and Riau—the consulate plays a pivotal role in regional diplomacy.
Media representatives from different cities were recognized for their contributions in disseminating information and promoting awareness of
bilateral relations between India and Indonesia.
Promoting Indian Culture and Cinema
Throughout the year, the consulate organized numerous cultural programs to introduce Indonesia to India's rich artistic heritage. Highlights included the Medan–Indian Film Week, the Indian Film Festival, and regular local film screenings. Additionally, an Indian Movie Club was established at the University of North Sumatra (USU) to foster cultural exchange through film discussions and screenings.
Traditional Indian festivals such as Holi, Deepavali, Bihar Day, and Indian culinary festivals further strengthened cultural ties, allowing the local community to experience Indian traditions and cuisine firsthand.
Ravi Shanker Goel, Consul General of India in Medan, poses with members of the press after breaking the fast at the Indian Consulate General office on Jl. Uskup Agung Sugiopranoto No. 19A, Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. (PHOTO: Doc.
Indian Consulate Medan)
Economic and Educational InitiativesThe consulate facilitated visits by Indian business delegations to Medan and other cities, hosting networking sessions and B2B meetings to boost trade, services, manufacturing, and investment partnerships.
In education, programs such as the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and scholarships from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) provided opportunities for Indonesian students, government officials, and professionals to study in India, expand professional networks, and enhance bilateral ties. The annual ITEC Day celebrated alumni and encouraged the exchange of experiences across Indonesia.
Consular Services and Maritime Diplomacy
The consulate also offered mobile consular services to assist the Indian diaspora with passport and official document applications, strengthening direct engagement with the Consul General. Maritime diplomacy was enhanced through formal dinners with visiting Indian naval units at the ports of Belawan and Pulau Sabang, promoting collaboration between the two nations' maritime sectors.
The iftar concluded with a shared meal and informal discussions between the Consul General and media representatives, highlighting the friendship, goodwill, and mutual respect that define India-Indonesia relations. (IDNC)
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