Prime Minister Narendra Modi met separately with Governor-General Bob Dadae of Papua New Guinea and his counterpart in Papua New Guinea, James Marape, and stressed the importance of strengthening the partnership between the two nations across a variety of sectors on Monday.
PM Modi, who arrived in Papua New Guinea on Sunday on his maiden visit to the country, will host a key summit between India and 14 Pacific island nations to boost bilateral ties.
"PM Narendra Modi arrives at the iconic APEC House located on the shores of Ela Beach in Port Moresby. Warmly welcomed by PM James Marape. The two leaders will co-host the FIPIC III Summit, fostering regional cooperation," said External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Twitter.
PM Modi meets his counterpart James Marape
PM Modi held a bilateral talk with his counterpart James Marape on various sectors.
"Synergising India-Papua New Guinea relations. PM Narendra Modi held a fruitful bilateral meeting with PM James Marape. PM Modi expressed his appreciation to PM Marape for co-hosting the FIPIC III Summit in Port Moresby.
"Discussions covered strengthening partnerships 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.
In 2014, during Modi's visit to Fiji, FIPIC was launched.
The summit will occur when China is putting forth attempts to upgrade its military and political impact in the region.
"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," PM Modi wrote on Twitter, accompanied by a picture of him shaking hands with Marape.
PM Modi underlines importance of free and open Indo-Pacific
PM Modi stated that the Quad is working in this direction and emphasised the significance of a free and open Indo-Pacific for the Pacific island nations.
Modi also stressed the importance of multilateralism and respecting the sovereignty and integrity of all nations in an address to the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation summit.
The highest point occurred when China is putting forth attempts to upgrade its military and discretionary impact in the area.
"Like you, we believe in multilateralism; support a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific and respect the sovereignty and integrity of all countries," Modi said.
He said the Quad - - including Japan, India, Australia and the US - - is making progress toward it.
"We are ready to share our abilities and experiences with you without any hesitation -- be it digital technology or space technology, be it health security or food security, be it climate change or environmental protection. We are with you all the way," he said.
Modi also stated that the UN Security Council should give priority to the global south's voice.
"For this, reform of international institutions should be our shared priority," he said.
Prime Minister Modi and his counterpart from Papua New Guinea jointly presided over the summit.
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