In his opening remarks at the 3rd Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) summit, Papua New Guinea (PNG) PM James Marape called India a “leader of the Global South” and said that the Pacific Island nations would rally behind India at international forums.
Indian PM Narendra Modi arrived at Port Moresby on Sunday to co-host the FIPIC III Summit with Marape to foster regional cooperation among 14 Pacific Island countries.
PM Modi being welcomed at Papua New Guinea with the country's PM James Marape giving Indian PM a warm hug, touches feet pic.twitter.com/AOcnZAsqg4
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) May 21, 2023
Overview
In a special gesture, Marape touched Modi’s feet as a mark of respect upon his arrival at the Pacific Islands summit.
Marape also conferred the Champion of the Order of Logohu to PM Modi for contributing to the unity of Pacific Island countries and spearheading the cause of the Global South.
“We suffered as a result of the big nations at play in terms of geopolitics and power struggle,” Marape said in his remarks while exhorting India to advocate for the small nations at global forums.
“You are the voice that can offer our issues at the highest as advanced economies discuss matters relating to economy, commerce, trade and geopolitics,” the PNG PM added.
Modi and Marape also released the Tamil classic ‘Thirukkural’ in the country’s Tok Pisin language.
A statement by the Indian PM’s office read, “Both leaders took stock of their bilateral relations and discussed ways and means to further strengthen their partnership across various sectors, including trade & investment, health, capacity building & skill development and Information Technology.” The two leaders also discussed issues like climate change and promoting people-to-people ties.
Modi also met the Governor General of PNG, Sir Bob Dadae, and exchanged views on the significance of the countries’ bilateral ties. The leaders agreed to strengthen the development partnership between the two countries.
From healthcare to water resources, innovation to education, energy to technology, India looks forward to working with our valued FIPIC partners with the aim of furthering global good. https://t.co/1eFoKkjQLM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 22, 2023
Free Indo-Pacific, 12-Step Action Plan
Modi assured the FIPIC members of India’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and said that the Small Islands of the Pacific Ocean are “Large Ocean States,” and announced a 12-step action plan to propel India’s partnership with Pacific Island countries.
He also highlighted that India would continue to support the FIPIC members in sustainable development, science and technology and space application.
Modi’s visit is the first by an Indian PM to the Pacific Island nation, and is being seen as a bid to counter the growing Chinese influence in the region.
The visit coincides with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to PNG, as the two sides move towards forging a Defence Cooperation Agreement.