Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with his Papua New Guinea counterpart, James Marape, in Port Moresby on Monday. The leaders discussed various areas of cooperation between the two countries, including commerce, technology, healthcare, and climate change. The meeting took place following the co-hosting of the FIPIC III Summit in Port Moresby by Prime Minister Marape.
The talks between the two leaders were described as fruitful and productive, covering a wide range of bilateral relations. The discussions focused on strengthening partnerships in trade and investment, health, capacity building, skill development, and information technology. Climate action and people-to-people ties were also key topics of conversation.
Prime Minister Modi expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Marape for his support in co-hosting the FIPIC III Summit. The Indian Prime Minister later tweeted, “Prime Minister James Marape and I had very productive talks, covering the full range of bilateral relations between India and Papua New Guinea. We discussed ways to augment cooperation in commerce, technology, healthcare, and in addressing climate change.”
During the meeting, the two leaders also launched a translation of the Tamil classic ‘Thirukkural’ in the Tok Pisin language of Papua New Guinea. The book, co-authored by Subha Sasindran and Governor Sasindran Muthuvel of West New Britain Province, aims to bring Indian thought and culture closer to the people of Papua New Guinea.
Before the bilateral meeting, Prime Minister Modi held talks with Governor General Bob Dadae at the historic Government House in Port Moresby. The discussions emphasized the significance of the India-Papua New Guinea ties and the development partnership between the two nations.
PM Modi’s visit to Papua New Guinea is his first to the country and the first-ever by an Indian Prime Minister. The visit holds great significance, and a ceremonial welcome was given to PM Modi, including a guard of honor and the playing of the Indian national anthem. Despite the usual practice of not giving a ceremonial welcome after sunset, Papua New Guinea made a special exception for the Indian Prime Minister.
The visit signifies the growing importance of India’s relations with countries in the Indo-Pacific region. It demonstrates India’s commitment to strengthening cooperation in various sectors and building closer ties with Papua New Guinea. The discussions held during the visit will contribute to further enhancing bilateral relations and exploring new avenues of collaboration between the two nations.
