Papua New Guinea’s PM touches Modi’s feet: Why this island country is important for India
During the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) summit in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed leaders of 14 Pacific Island nations, assuring them of India’s reliability as a development partner. In a veiled reference to China, Modi emphasized the importance of trust and support, stating that those deemed trustworthy may not always stand by India’s side in times of need.
Modi acknowledged the challenges faced during the Covid-19 pandemic and highlighted India’s commitment to its Pacific island friends. He expressed gratitude for India’s assistance, including the provision of vaccines, essential medicines, wheat, and sugar. Despite the limitations of resources, India has been actively supporting partner countries to the best of its capabilities.
The Prime Minister’s remarks come in the context of India’s efforts to strengthen ties with Pacific Island nations amidst growing regional competition. While India aims to establish itself as a reliable development partner, it recognizes the importance of trust and assistance during critical times.
In a notable gesture, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape welcomed PM, Modi, by bending down to touch his feet, a move that garnered significant attention. This marked the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Papua New Guinea, and the ceremonial welcome, which is typically not offered after sunset, highlighted the exceptional reception accorded to Modi.
The summit provided an opportunity for India to deepen its engagement with Pacific Island nations and foster cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, renewable energy, and sustainable development. India’s commitment to being a reliable partner resonated with the leaders present, as they seek dependable alliances for their countries’ development and progress.
Located north of Australia, Papua New Guinea finds itself in a region where China is actively expanding its influence, prompting counter-efforts from countries like Australia and the US. China has invested heavily in Papua New Guinea, financing infrastructure and educational institutions, leading to concerns that these investments are aimed at gaining military and diplomatic leverage. Notably, China signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands last year, which raised alarms about China’s growing presence in the region. In response, the US and Papua New Guinea signed a protection contract, resulting in protests from local citizens who oppose the perceived “militarization” of the Pacific.
India, too, is seeking to strengthen its ties and collaboration with the Pacific Island countries. This includes countries like Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, the Republic of Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. The recent visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Fiji and Papua New Guinea, as well as the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) summit, are part of India’s efforts to bolster these relationships.
The FIPIC summit was initiated during Modi’s visit to Fiji in 2014, with the second summit taking place in Jaipur in 2015. The recent summit marks the third gathering of its kind, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to strengthen ties between India and the Pacific Island nations.
The third-largest island nation in the world, Papua New Guinea is a lower-middle-income country with a predominance of rural residents. It boasts linguistic diversity, with over 800 languages spoken within its borders. The country has an estimated population of 9,819,350, as per the CIA’s World Factbook. Indigenous communities constitute a significant portion of the population, relying on subsistence agriculture and maintaining limited contact with the outside world.
Papua New Guinea’s history involves periods of rule by Germany, Australia, and Britain since the 1880s, culminating in its independence on September 16, 1975. As the country navigates geopolitical dynamics in the region, engagements such as the FIPIC summit and visits from world leaders contribute to shaping its relationships and economic development plans.
