FIPIC 3rd Summit | PM Modi meets Prime Minister, Governor General of Papua New Guinea
photo- ani Port Moresby: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held separate talks with his Papua New Guinean counterpart James Marape and Governor General Bob Dade and discussed various issues between the two countries. Emphasized on strengthening partnership in the regions. Modi, who arrived here on Sunday on his maiden visit to the island nation, will also host a key summit between India and the 14 Pacific island nations to strengthen bilateral ties. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted, “PM @narendramodi arrives at the historic APEC House along the Ela Beach in Port Moresby. He was warmly received by Prime Minister James Marape. The two leaders will co-host the FIPIC 3rd Summit to strengthen regional cooperation. According to Bagchi, the two leaders discussed a range of issues including strengthening partnership in various fields, steps to combat climate change as well as strengthening people-to-people ties. He said, “India-Papua New Guinea relations are being coordinated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a productive bilateral meeting with Prime Minister James Marape. Prime Minister Modi appreciated Prime Minister Marape for co-hosting the FIPIC III Summit in Port Moresby.” He said, “Discussed on strengthening partnership in the areas of trade and investment, health, capacity building, skill development and information technology. Issues related to measures to combat climate change and promotion of people-to-people relations were also discussed. FIPIC was formed in 2014 during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Fiji. The summit is taking place at a time when China is making efforts to increase its military and diplomatic power in the region. Posting a photograph of himself shaking hands with Marape, Prime Minister Modi tweeted, “Prime Minister James Marape and I had a very productive conversation in which every aspect of bilateral relations between India and Papua New Guinea was discussed. We discussed ways to cooperate in commerce, technology, health care and combating climate change. During the meeting, Modi and Marape also released a translation of the Tok Pisin language of Papua New Guinea, a work of poetry written in Tamil language ‘Thirukkural’. A spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs said, “The Indian diaspora maintains ties with the motherland. Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Marape released a translation of the Tamil poetry work ‘Thirukkural’ in Tok Pisin language of Papua New Guinea. “Written by Shubha Sashindran and Sashindran Muthuvel, Governor of West New Britain Province, the book brings Indian ideas and culture closer to the people of Papua New Guinea,” he said. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi met the Governor General of Papua New Guinea, Bob Dade, at Government House. Bagchi tweeted, “PM @narendramodi started his day in Papua New Guinea with a warm conversation with Governor General Sir Bob Dade at the historic Government House. He emphasized the importance of India-Papua New Guinea relations and development partnership between the two countries. Prime Minister Modi posted pictures of his meeting with Dade on his official Twitter handle. Modi said, “It was a wonderful meeting with the Governor General of Papua New Guinea, Sir Bob Dade. We discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries in various fields. Prime Minister Modi arrived here from Japan, where he attended the G-7 summit and held bilateral meetings with several world leaders. Modi has reached Papua New Guinea on the second leg of his three-nation tour. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea | “Had a wonderful meeting with President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. of the Republic of Palau on the sidelines of FIPIC Summit,” tweets Prime Minister Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/uCxZKVOpvy — ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2023 Papua The Indian Prime Minister was received at the airport by New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape, who touched Modi’s feet as a mark of respect. Usually Papua New Guinea does not formally welcome any leader who arrives after sunset, but Prime Minister Modi made an exception and was accorded a formal welcome. Leaders of 14 countries will participate in the FIPIC summit. FIPIC includes the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. (agency)