They arrived at the Merdeka Field at around 12:45 pm local time by driving a golf cart from the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.
Jokowi and Modi then cut a ribbon attached to the giant kite. The two leaders then reviewed a kite exhibition bearing the theme of Ramayana, with kites on display from both countries.
The two state officials then stepped onto the stage to inaugurate the 70th anniversary logo of Indonesia-India diplomatic relations.
Jokowi and Modi also took pictures with kite experts from both countries.
The kite flying activity was attended by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya, Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Pradeep Kumar Rawat, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, and Jakarta Mayor Mangara Pardede, as a sign of the start of the joint kite exhibition of Indonesia and India, bearing the theme of Ramayana.
The Indonesian Kite Museum created the kite that was flown.
Various preparations for this event were made beforehand, including the rehearsal held on Tuesday (May 29) starting at 12:30 pm local time at Monument National.
Yahya assessed that the work of the Indonesian kite museum was outstanding.
"The kite that will be flown by President Jokowi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a masterpiece. This museum has already produced the best variety of kite works and houses a large collection of them," he stated.
For the Ramayana-themed exhibition, India has included 15 kite experts. Moreover, 50 best Indian kites are also on display.
The kites are of several types ranging from two dimensional to three dimensional.
The foreign affairs minister assessed that Prime Minister Modi`s visit to Indonesia on May 29-30, 2018, will have a positive impact on Indonesian tourism. Moreover, India and Indonesia share cultural closeness as was apparent in this kite exhibition.
"Both cultures have close proximity. This certainly offers positive value. We are optimistic that the number of Indian tourist visits can further be increased," he added.
The number of Indian tourists visit Indonesia is increasing, with 485,314 visitors recorded in 2017. This figure increased by 28.798 percent, or 108,512 travelers, as compared to 376,802 tourists in 2016.
Reporter: ANTARA
Editor: Ade P Marboen
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
