In an autobiography titled Orang Indonesia di Kamp Konsentrasi Nazi, Parlindoengan Loebis (1910-1994) wrote of the horrifying experience he went through. I should be prepared to be incarcerated for years. That is, if Im not killed outright. To survive in the camp, I must be hard-hearted and unfeeling like a stone. Parlindoengan refused to cry.

This year, Indonesia and India mark 75 years of diplomatic relations. However, the ties between the two nations have existed much longer, predating the establishment of the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of India. These connections span social, cultural, religious, economic, and trade aspects. But do those close ties of the past have any bearing on the present relationship? Why is there no direct flight between the capitals of the two countries?

Indian Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste, Sandeep Chakravorty, shares his views on this matter at TEMPO TALKS.