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Narendra Modi, Indian Prime Minister, is going to Papua New Guinea this Sunday, May 21, as part of his Pacific tour. The goal: to strengthen ties between the two countries and counter the influence with China. Narendra Modi will exchange views with island leaders and launch the Indo-Pacific Islands Forum.
Usually, island nations do not greet their leaders after sunset. But exceptions are made for Narendra Modi. He first set foot on Papua New Guinean soil on May 21 and met Prime Minister James Marape.
Reaches Papua New Guinea. I thank Prime Minister James Marape for coming to the airport and welcoming me. It is a very special gesture that I will always remember. I look forward to strengthening India’s relations with this great country during my visit. pic.twitter.com/9pBzWQ6ANT
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 21, 2023
After trip to Japan for the G7, Narendra Modi will stay two days on the Pacific island. On Monday, May 22, he will inaugurate the third edition of the Indo-Pacific Forum which brings together 14 countries from the region.
Papua is among the lowest in the world in terms of human development, but it is the largest country in the Pacific. A strategic link for Indian diplomacy, explains Harsh Pant, vice-president of the ORF’s Institute of Geopolitics in New Delhi:
” China is providing significant aid and building infrastructure in Papua. The country does not want to compete with China and the United States, but I think India could be an interesting partner there. The Government of India, which is increasingly active in the South Pacific region, launched this Forum in 2014. We will certainly discuss investment in green energy and digital technologies.
At the end of this visit, Narendra Modi will travel to Australia.
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