Modi congratulates Indonesia on hosting 18th Asian Games

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated Indonesia for playing host to the 18th Asian Games to be held in August and hoped for the successful organisation of the sporting extravaganza.

The 2018 Asian Games, commonly known as Jakarta Palembang 2018, is scheduled to be held from August 18 to September 2 in Indonesia.

Prime Minister Modi, in a press statement after his talks with President Joko Widodo, congratulated Indonesia for playing host to the Asian games which are being held in the country for the first time since 1962.

"I extend my congratulations to Indonesia for playing host to the 18th Asian games to be held in August," Modi said.

"I am confident that this would be a historic and great organisation," the Prime Minister said.

During his talks with Widodo, Modi also emphasised on increasing people to people contacts to promote regional economic growth.

Around 10,000 athletes from 45 countries are expected to compete across 40 sports at the Games.

Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games.

For the first time, the Asian Games are being co-hosted in two cities; Jakarta and Palembang.