Port Moresby [Papua New Guinea]: Prime Minister Narendra Modi co-chaired the third India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit in Papua New Guinea on Monday and mentioned India believes in multilateralism and helps a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. PM Modi, whereas talking on the discussion board, additionally mentioned that for him, the Pacific island nations are ‘giant ocean nations and never small island states’. He co-chaired the third India-Pacific Islands Cooperation Summit with Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape. 14 Pacific Island Nations (PICs) are taking part within the summit.
Addressing the FIPIC Summit, PM Narendra Modi mentioned that India is able to share its experiences and capabilities with Pacific island nations with none hesitation.
“India is proud to be your growth companion. You may depend on India as a dependable companion. We’re able to share our experiences and capabilities with you with out hesitation. We imagine in multilateralism and assist a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific,” PM Modi mentioned.
Talking on the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Prime Minister added that it was seen essentially the most within the World South.
On the FIPIC Summit in Papua New Guinea with fellow FIPIC leaders. pic.twitter.com/nOArwGJWdc
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) Could 22, 2023
“Challenges associated to local weather change, pure disasters, starvation, poverty and well being have been already there, now new issues are arising…I’m glad that India stood by its pleasant Pacific Island nations in occasions of problem,” PM Modi added.
India considers it its duty to convey the considerations of the World South, their expectations and their aspirations to the world by way of the G20. This was my effort within the final two days on the G7 summit as nicely, he mentioned.
Earlier at this time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Papua New Guinea counterpart held a bilateral in Port Moresby and mentioned cooperation in Commerce, know-how, and healthcare in addition to local weather change.
Calling the talks productive, Prime Minister Modi mentioned that they coated the total vary of bilateral relations between India and Papua New Guinea.
“Prime Minister James Marape and I had very productive talks, protecting the total vary of bilateral relations between India and Papua New Guinea. We mentioned methods to enhance cooperation in commerce, know-how, healthcare and in addressing local weather change,” PM Modi tweeted.
Furthermore, the 2 leaders additionally launched a translation of the Tamil basic ‘Thirukkural’ within the Tok Pisin language of Papua New Guinea.
The e book, which was launched by the PMs of India and Papua New Guinea was co-authored by Subha Sasindran and Governor Sasindran Muthuvel of West New Britain Province.
PM Modi arrived within the Indo-Pacific nation on the second leg of his three-country go to. Upon PM Modi’s arrival, the Indian nationwide anthem was performed and the 2 prime ministers stood nonetheless in respect. PM Modi was additionally accorded a guard of honour on his arrival.
That is PM Modi’s first tour to PNG, in addition to the first-ever go to by any Indian Prime Minister to the Indo-Pacific nation.
Pacific Islands will rally behind India: Papua New Guinea PM tells Modi
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape on Monday informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the Pacific Islands nations take into account the Indian premier because the chief of the World South and can rally behind India’s management at worldwide boards.
Highlighting the issues confronted by Pacific Islands nations because of the Russia-Ukraine warfare, Marape mentioned this whereas addressing the FIPIC Summit.
“We’re victims of worldwide powerplay… You (PM Modi) are the chief of World South. We are going to rally behind your (India) management at world boards,” mentioned Marape.
He pointed to the inflationary stress on his nation because of the Russia-Ukraine battle.
He mentioned that Pacific Islands nations must face the brunt of the warfare as they’ve excessive prices of gas and energy tariffs and undergo on account of large nations at play when it comes to geopolitics and energy struggles.
“The difficulty of Ukraine warfare with Russia or Russia warfare with Ukraine quite, we import the inflation to our personal small economies. These nations sitting earlier than you, Mr Prime Minister (PM Modi), have excessive prices of gas and energy tariffs in their very own nations and we undergo on account of large nations at play when it comes to geopolitics and the ability struggles on the market,” mentioned Marape.
He urged PM Modi to be an lively voice for the small island nations at world boards akin to G20 and G7, including, “You’re the voice that may supply our points on the highest as superior economies focus on issues regarding economic system, commerce, commerce and geopolitics.”
Marape prompted India to make use of the third India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit to be the robust voice and advocate the challenges of the area.
“We ask you, utilizing this second the place I’m co-chairing and I converse for my small brother and sister nations of the Pacific. While our land could also be small and the quantity could also be small, our space and house within the Pacific are large. The world makes use of for commerce, commerce and motion,” added the Papua New Guinea PM.
He additional urged PM Modi to be an advocate for Pacific Island nations, including, “We wish you to be an advocate for us. As you sit in these conferences and proceed to battle for the rights of small rising nations and rising economies.”
“Our leaders can have a second to talk to you. I need you, Mr Prime Minister, so that you can spend time listening to them. And hopefully, on the finish of those dialogues, might India and the Pacific’s relationship is entrenched and strengthened,” mentioned Marape.
“However extra importantly, the problems which can be going through the Pacific island nations, particularly the smaller ones amongst us forward in its proper context and given assist by you, the chief of the World South,” the Papua New Guinea chief mentioned.
Marape additionally highlighted the shared historical past of India and Papua New Guinea.
He mentioned, “Individuals have been travelling for hundreds of years. Identical to your individuals have lived in India for hundreds of years. All of us come from a shared historical past. A historical past of being colonised. Historical past that holds the nations of the World South collectively. I thanks (PM Modi) for assuring me within the bilateral assembly that as you host G20 this 12 months you’ll advocate on points that relate to the World South.”
He mentioned that World South has growth challenges and raised considerations over the usage of its sources whereas its persons are stored aloof from sharing its fruits.
“Within the World South, now we have growth challenges. Our sources are harvested by tones and volumes. And our individuals have been left behind,” mentioned Marape.
