Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India arrived in Port Moresby on 21st of May 2023 on his maiden visit to Papua New Guinea, to host a key summit between India and 14 Pacific island countries and to boost PNG – India bilateral ties. 

PM Narendra Modi was warmly welcomed by PM James Marape, and other State Ministers and Government Officials on arrival at the APEC Terminal. PM Marape touched his feet as a mark of respect for a great leader.  

As per military protocol,  Papua New Guinea doesn’t give a ceremonial welcome to any leader coming after sunset. But a special exception was made for Prime Minister Modi and a ceremonial welcome was accorded to PM Modi. 

He was welcomed by a ceremonial guard by the PNGDF and also accorded a 19 gun salute. 

Prime Minister Modi held bilateral talks with his Papua New Guinea counterpart Hon. James Marape and paid a courtesy call on the Governor-General Bob Dadae separately where he had stressed on strengthening the partnership between the two countries across multiple sectors.

The two leaders are the co-host of the FIPIC III Summit, fostering regional cooperation.

Discussions between the two Prime Ministers covered a range of issues, including strengthening partnerships in multiple sectors, climate action as well as promoting people-to-people ties.

PM Modi expressed his appreciation to PM Marape for co-hosting the FIPIC III Summit in Port Moresby and also expressed that he held a fruitful bilateral meeting with PM James Marape. 

“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.”

“Discussions covered strengthening partnership across sectors of trade and investment, health, capacity building and skill development and IT. Also discussed issues related to climate action and promoting people-to-people ties,” he said.

During the meeting, Mr. Modi and Mr. Marape also launched a translation of the Tamil classic ‘Thirukkural’ in the Tok Pisin language of Papua New Guinea.

“Indian diaspora keeping alive connect with the motherland! PM Modi and PM James Marape launched a translation of the Tamil classic ‘Thirukkural’ in the Tok Pisin language of Papua New Guinea.

“Co-authored by Subha Sasindran and Governor Sasindran Muthuvel of West New Britain Province, the book brings Indian thought and culture closer to the people of Papua New Guinea,” 

The FIPIC Summit will see participation from leaders of 14 countries. Normally all of them rarely converge together due to connectivity and other issues, sources said.

FIPIC includes Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, the Republic of Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.