PM Modi holds bilateral meeting with his counterpart Marape in Papua New Guinea

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New Delhi, 22 May (Hindustan Times). Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held a bilateral meeting with James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, in Port Moresby. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi appreciated Marape for co-hosting the FIPIC III summit.

According to External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, discussions between the two leaders included strengthening partnership in the areas of trade and investment, health, capacity building and skill development and IT. Also, issues related to climate change and promotion of relations were also discussed.

Prime Minister Modi arrives at the iconic APEC House on the shores of Ella Beach in Port Moresby. Here Prime Minister James Marape warmly welcomed him. The two leaders will co-host the FIPIC III summit to boost regional cooperation.

Earlier, the Prime Minister began his day with talks with the Governor General of Papua New Guinea, Sir Bob Dade. Prime Minister Modi reached Papua New Guinea on Sunday in the second leg of his three-nation tour. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Papua New Guinea.

The Prime Minister reached Port Moresby by plane after a journey of about seven and a half hours from Japan. He was received in Papua New Guinea by Prime Minister James Marape. Prime Minister Marape wanted to touch the feet of Prime Minister Modi. The Prime Minister hugged him patting him on the back.

Prime Minister Modi will jointly host the 3rd Summit of the India-Pacific Islands Cooperation Forum with Prime Minister James Marape of Papua New Guinea today in Port Moresby.

It is noteworthy that this forum, launched in 2014, includes India and 14 Pacific island countries. These countries are Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Samoa, Vanuatu, Niue, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, the Cook Islands, Palau, Nauru, and the Solomon Islands.