The two sides also discussed issues related to climate action and promoting people-to-people ties.
Port Moresby:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Papua New Guinea counterpart held a bilateral talk in Port Moresby on Monday, discussing cooperation on trade, technology and healthcare, as well as tackling climate change.
“Synergizing relations between India and Papua New Guinea. PM @narendramodi held a fruitful bilateral meeting with Prime Minister James Marape. PM Modi expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Marape for co-hosting the FIPIC III summit in Port Moresby” said the official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Arindam Bagchi wrote on Twitter.
Prime Minister Modi called the talks productive and said they covered the full range of bilateral relations between India and Papua New Guinea.
Discussions focused on strengthening partnerships in trade and investment, health, capacity building and skills development and IT sectors. The two sides also discussed issues related to climate action and promoting people-to-people ties.
“Prime Minister James Marape and I had very productive discussions on the full range of bilateral relations between India and Papua New Guinea. We discussed ways to strengthen cooperation on trade, technology, healthcare and tackling climate change,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted.
Prime Minister James Marape and I had very productive discussions, covering the full range of bilateral relations between India and Papua New Guinea. We discussed ways to strengthen cooperation on trade, technology, healthcare and tackling climate change. pic.twitter.com/cKWpyYmdtc
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 22, 2023
In addition, the two leaders also launched a translation of the Tamil classic ‘Thirukkural’ into the Tok Pisin language of Papua New Guinea.
Launched by the Prime Ministers of India and Papua New Guinea, the book was co-authored by Subha Sasindran and Governor Sasindran Muthuvel of West New Britain province.
“Indian diaspora keeps contact with motherland alive! Prime Minister @narendramodi and Prime Minister James Marape launched translation of Tamil classic ‘Thirukkural’ into Tok Pisin language of Papua New Guinea,” Arindam Bagchi tweeted.
“Co-authored by Ms Subha Sasindran and Governor Sasindran Muthuvel of the Province of West New Britain, the book brings Indian thought and culture closer to the people of Papua New Guinea,” the MEA spokesperson continued to tweet.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Papua New Guinea Governor General Bob Dadae earlier today at the historic government building in Port Moresby, the foreign ministry said.
While the two sides held talks, they also underlined the importance of India-Papua New Guinea ties and the development partnership between the two countries.
Arindam Bagchi, the State Department’s official spokesperson, wrote on Twitter: “PM @narendramodi kicks off the day in Papua New Guinea with a warm chat with Governor General Sir Bob Dadae at the historic government building. Underlines the meaning of – ties and development partnership between the two countries.”
Following his meeting with the PNG Governor General, Prime Minister Modi arrived at the iconic APEC House on the shores of Ela Beach in Port Moresby, where he was welcomed by NPG Prime Minister James Marape.
Prime Minister Modi arrived in the Indo-Pacific country on the second leg of his trip to three countries.
Upon Prime Minister Modi’s arrival, the Indian national anthem was played and the two prime ministers stood in respectful silence. Prime Minister Modi was also given a guard of honor upon his arrival.
This is PM Modi’s first tour to PNG, as well as the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Indo-Pacific country. Usually Papua New Guinea does not give a ceremonial welcome to a leader who arrives after sunset. But the nation made a special exception for Prime Minister Modi, who was given a lavish ceremonial welcome.
A traditional folk dance performance was also staged outside the airport to welcome PM Modi to PNG.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is being published from a syndicated feed.)
