Prime Minister Narendra Modi co-chaired the 3rd India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit in Papua New Guinea on Monday, emphasizing India’s commitment to multilateralism and its support for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. During the summit, Prime Minister Modi expressed that the Pacific island nations should be viewed as “large ocean countries” rather than “small island states.”
The FIPIC Summit saw the participation of 14 Pacific Island Countries (PICs), and Prime Minister Modi assured them that India is ready to share its experiences and capabilities with them as a reliable development partner. He emphasized India’s belief in multilateralism and its commitment to supporting a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
Addressing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Modi highlighted that the Global South has been most affected. He expressed India’s solidarity with the Pacific Island countries, stating that India stood by them during difficult times. He further emphasized India’s responsibility to convey the concerns, expectations, and aspirations of the Global South to the world, both through forums like the G20 and recent engagements such as the G7 summit.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi held a bilateral meeting with his Papua New Guinea counterpart, Prime Minister James Marape, in Port Moresby. The discussions covered various aspects of bilateral relations, including commerce, technology, healthcare, and climate change. Prime Minister Modi described the talks as productive and comprehensive, reflecting the broad range of cooperation between India and Papua New Guinea.
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Marape jointly launched the translation of the Tamil classic, ‘Thirukkural,’ into the Tok Pisin language of Papua New Guinea. The book, co-authored by Subha Sasindran and Governor Sasindran Muthuvel of West New Britain Province, highlights cultural exchange and promotes understanding between the two countries.
This trip marked Prime Minister Modi’s first visit to Papua New Guinea, making him the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the Indo-Pacific nation. His arrival was greeted with the Indian national anthem, and he was accorded a guard of honor. The visit aimed to strengthen bilateral ties, explore cooperation in various sectors, and foster deeper cultural connections.
Prime Minister Modi’s participation in the 3rd FIPIC Summit underscored India’s commitment to multilateralism and its support for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. The discussions with Prime Minister Marape of Papua New Guinea covered a wide range of areas, emphasizing cooperation in commerce, technology, healthcare, and climate change. The launch of the translated edition of ‘Thirukkural’ highlighted the cultural exchange between India and Papua New Guinea. This historic visit strengthened bilateral relations and marked a significant milestone in India’s engagement with the Indo-Pacific region.
