Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Papua New Guinea (PNG) to attend the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FPIC) and was greeted by his counterpart, Prime Minister James Marape, who made a surprising gesture by touching his feet. Here are five key points about Prime Minister James Marape of Papua New Guinea:
James Marape, 52, has been serving as the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea since 2019. He belongs to the PANGU Pati political party in the country. As the 8th Prime Minister of PNG, Marape has held several significant cabinet positions, including Education and Finance. He has also served as Parliamentary Secretary for Works and Transport and has been part of the Parliamentary Referral Committee on Inter-Government Relations.
Marape graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Papua New Guinea in 1993. He further pursued higher education and obtained a Postgraduate Honours in Environmental Science and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. These qualifications highlight his academic pursuits and commitment to his personal development.
Before becoming Prime Minister, James Marape worked in various government positions. From 2001 to 2006, he served as Acting Assistant Secretary of Policy with the Department of Personnel Management. This experience provided him with valuable insights into public administration and policy-making processes.
Marape’s political journey has seen him change party affiliations. He resigned from the People’s National Congress Party on April 20, 2019, and subsequently joined the Pangu PATI, where he was given a leadership role. This transition reflects his evolving political ideology and aspirations for the country.
In 2020, there was an attempt to topple the Marape government through a no-confidence motion. However, the motion ultimately failed, demonstrating Marape’s ability to retain the support of his parliamentary colleagues and maintain his position as Prime Minister.
Prime Minister James Marape’s reception of Prime Minister Modi with a gesture of touching his feet indicates cultural respect and hospitality. The exceptional ceremonial welcome for Modi, despite the usual protocol of no ceremonial welcome after sunset, further underscores the significance of the occasion and the warm relations between India and Papua New Guinea.
As Prime Minister Marape continues to lead his country, his diverse experiences, educational background, and political trajectory shape his approach to governance and policy-making. His role in hosting the FPIC and engaging with international leaders like Prime Minister Modi highlights the growing importance of Papua New Guinea in the global arena and its efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties and cooperation with India and other Pacific Island nations.
