Key Indonesian ministers, leading businesspeople and diplomats from many countries flocked to the Four Seasons Hotel in South Jakarta to mark the rising global standing of India during the celebration of its Republic Day on Monday.

The world’s second most populous nation, with over one billion people, was well represented at the occasion. The Indian community celebrated in a way that was representative of the nation and its people: with good food, song and sea of zeal and color.

India’s Republic Day, which is commemorated on Jan. 26, marks the day that the constitution of India came into force and became the creed of the people. Official celebrations in Jakarta were postponed until Monday, as Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was the chief guest of Republic Day celebrations in India last week.

After both the Indian and Indonesian national anthems were sung, the address Yudhoyono gave in New Dehli was replayed on video for the hundreds of people who gathered for the event.

“This is the most important day on our calendar every year: Republic Day,” said India’s ambassador to Indonesia, Biren Nanda.

The ballroom at the Four Seasons Hotel in South Jakarta was full of color, ranging from bright pink saris to the greens of Indonesian batik to the many ribbons and accolades worn by soldiers and diplomats. The spread of India’s finest dishes did not go unnoticed either.

Nanda welcomed guests of honor that included Trade Minister Mari Pangestu, Transportation Minister Freddy Numberi and Industry Minister M.S. Hidayat. The ambassador also spoke of the huge Indian-Indonesian community living throughout the archipelago.

“There are approximately 100,000 people of Indian origin who are Indonesian citizens and about 5,000 Indian citizens. Colonial history is of great importance to the migration of Indian people. For example, during the Dutch period, the people of the Sikh community came to Sumatra because the Dutch wanted milk and cheese, and there was previously no tradition of eating milk and cheese.”

Indian businessman N.K. Shandilya, who works in Bandung, also said that Indians’ ability to learn Indonesian made living and working in Indonesia a desirable preference.