Biju Patnaik was not just a former Odisha chief minister or even father of Naveen - the founder of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) :::: He was a pilot, good at that ... and brave !!

"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," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Indonesia today.

For his death-defying mission, Late Patnaik was awarded the Bintang Jasa Utama (First Class of Star of Service) by Jakarta in 1955. 

Six years later, he became the fourth chief minister of Odisha in 1961. He served another term from 1990 to 1995.  

On Tuesday, Modi lavished praise on Patnaik for bringing India and Indonesia "closer".

"Both our nations gained independence around the same time: Indonesia in 1945 and India in 1947. When it came to sovereignty as independent nations, India became a strong voice in support of Indonesia's independence movement at the United Nations," he said.

Before joining politics and becoming the Odisha Chief Minister, Patnaik was an ace pilot. 

His skills were called upon by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to rescue Indonesian leaders as the Dutch launched an invasion in Java in 1946. Showcasing exemplary courage, Patnaik and his wife flew into the conflict zone and safely evacuated Indonesia's then Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir and Vice President Mohammad Hatta to India.  

Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday said India and Indonesia were entering a "golden era" as he addressed the parliament in Jakarta. 

However, the architect behind the close India-Indonesia ties, PM Modi said, was former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik, who played a pivotal role in the Indonesian freedom struggle.

Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta

Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday admitted to copying several of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's programmes while hosting a banquet lunch in his honour in Jakarta. 

With PM Modi seated beside him, Subianto joked that he was grateful there was no copyright attached to the Indian leader's initiatives, drawing laughter from those present.

"I also want to admit to Your Excellency (PM Modi), I follow your career and I copy many of your programmes," Subianto said.  

"I don't mind admitting it because if it succeeds for hundreds of millions of people with the same background as Indonesia, the same problems... India has achieved much progress. So I openly admit that I follow your career and I copy a lot of your programmes. And it's proving to be successful for us. So thank you very much," he added.

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