‘You can count on India as a reliable partner’: PM Modi to Pacific island nations

Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday co-chaired the 3rd Indo-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit in Papua New Guinea and said that India believes in multilateralism and supports a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. Is. Speaking on the dais, PM Modi also said that for him the Pacific island nations are ‘big oceanic countries and not small island states’. He co-chaired the 3rd India-Pacific Islands Cooperation Summit with James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea. 14 Pacific Island Countries (PICs) are participating in the summit.

Addressing the FIPIC Summit, PM Narendra Modi said that India is ready to share its experiences and capabilities with the Pacific Island countries without any hesitation.

“India is proud to be your development partner. You can count on India as a reliable partner. We are ready to share our experiences and capabilities with you without hesitation. We believe in multilateralism And support a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.” PM Modi said.

Speaking on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Prime Minister said that it was most witnessed in the Global South.

At the FIPIC Summit in Papua New Guinea with fellow FIPIC leaders. pic.twitter.com/nOArwGJWdc— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 22, 2023

PM Modi said, “Challenges related to climate change, natural disaster, hunger, poverty and health were already there, now new problems are arising… I am happy that India is standing by its friendly Pacific Island countries in times of difficulty.” Stand together.”

India considers it its responsibility to convey the concerns, expectations and aspirations of the Global South to the world through the G-20. This was my effort in the last two days at the G7 summit as well, he said.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart from Papua New Guinea held a bilateral meeting in Port Moresby and discussed cooperation in commerce, technology and health care as well as climate change.

Describing the talks as productive, Prime Minister Modi said they covered the entire gamut of bilateral relations between India and Papua New Guinea.

PM Modi tweeted, “Prime Minister James Marape and I had very productive talks covering the entire gamut of bilateral relations between India and Papua New Guinea. We discussed expanding cooperation in commerce, technology, healthcare and addressing climate change.” discussed the methods of

In addition, both the leaders also launched the translation of Tamil classic ‘Thirukkural’ in Tok Pisin language of Papua New Guinea.

The book, which was launched by the Prime Ministers of India and Papua New Guinea, was co-authored by Subha Saseendran and Saseendran Muthuvel, Governor of West New Britain Province.

PM Modi reached the Indo-Pacific country in the second leg of his three-nation tour. Upon PM Modi’s arrival, the Indian national anthem was played and both prime ministers stood in respect. PM Modi was also given a guard of honor on arrival.

This is PM Modi’s first visit to PNG, as well as the first by any Indian Prime Minister to the Indo-Pacific country.

Pacific Islands will follow India: Papua New Guinea PM tells Modi

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape on Monday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the Pacific island nation views the Indian prime minister as a leader of the Global South and will support India’s leadership in international fora.

Marape said this while addressing the FIPIC summit, highlighting the problems faced by the Pacific island countries due to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Marape said, “We are victims of global powerplay… You (PM Modi) are the leader of the Global South. We will stand by your (India) leadership on global forums.”

He pointed to inflationary pressures on his country due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

He noted that Pacific Island countries bear the brunt of the war because they have higher costs of fuel and electricity tariffs and as a result of larger nations in terms of geopolitics and power struggles.

“The issue of Ukraine war with Russia or Russia war with Ukraine, rather we import inflation to our small economies. These nations sitting before you, Mr. Prime Minister (PM Modi), are paying their own fuel and electricity tariffs. have a high cost.” We are suffering as a result of the big nations playing in terms of geopolitics and power struggles there,” Marpe said.

He urged PM Modi to be an active voice for the small island nations in global fora like G20 and G7. and geopolitics.”

Marape implored India to use the 3rd Indo-Pacific Island Cooperation (FIPIC) summit to become a stronger voice and advocate for the region’s challenges.

“We ask you, using this moment where I co-chair and I speak for our little brother and sister countries in the Pacific. While our land may be small and our numbers may be small, Our territory and location in the Pacific is large.” The world uses for trade, commerce and movement,” said the Papua New Guinea PM.

He further urged PM Modi to be an advocate for the Pacific island nations, “We want you to be an advocate for us. As you sit in those meetings and keep fighting for the rights of small emerging nations and emerging economies.” Are.”

“Our leaders will have a moment to speak to you. I would like you, Mr. Prime Minister, to spend the time listening to them. And hopefully, at the end of these dialogues, the relationship between India and the Pacific will grow stronger and stronger.” Be.” Marape said.

The leader of Papua New Guinea said, “But more importantly, put the issues facing Pacific island nations, especially the smaller ones among us, in the right context and that the leader of the global south has supported you. ”

Marape also highlighted the shared history of India and Papua New Guinea.

He said, “People have been traveling for thousands of years. Like your people have lived in India for thousands of years. We all come from a shared history. A history of being colonized. A history that holds countries of the Global South together.” I thank you (PM Modi) for assuring me in the bilateral meeting that when you are hosting the G20 this year, you will advocate on issues related to the Global South.”

He said there are development challenges in the Global South and raised concerns over the use of its resources while keeping its people from sharing its fruits.

Marpe said, “In the Global South, we face development challenges. Our resources are overused. And our people are left behind.”