Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Papua New Guinea (PNG) on Sunday for the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) summit. The summit was launched during PM Modi’s visit to Fiji in 2014.
He was given a rare and a surprise welcome as Prime Minister James Marape touched PM Modi’s feet on arrival to the Pacific Island nation.
https://twitter.com/spectatorindex/status/1660266657259094016
This is Modi’s first tour to PNG. A traditional folk dance performance was also staged outside the airport as part of the welcome.
Upon arrival, Modi tweeted: “Reached Papua New Guinea. I am thankful to PM James Marape for coming to the airport and welcoming me. This is a very special gesture which I will always remember. I look forward to boosting India’s ties with this great nation during my visit”.
https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1660270066674585605
PM Modi will co-chair the third summit of FIPIC on Monday which brings together the leaders of 14 countries. He will also hold bilateral meetings with leaders of the important geo-strategic region that has seen China make big gains in some of the island nations.
Aridam Bagchi, the Ministry of External affairs spokesperson tweeted that this is the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to PNG.
https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1660259709335613440
The Prime Minister arrived in the island nation from Japan, where he attended the G7 and the Quad summits at Hiroshima. From PNG, he will fly to Australia for a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and wrap up his six-day, three nation visit.
https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1660274750680346624
Also read: Why is Modi’s May visit to Pacific Islands strategic for the region?
