PM Modi Receives Warm Welcome in Papua New Guinea, Honoured With Feet-Touching Gesture | WATCH
Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape touches Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s feet upon the latter’s arrival in Papua New Guinea, Sunday. (Image; PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in Papua New Guinea marks the first-ever visit by an Indian prime minister to the Pacific Island nation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly welcomed in Papua New Guinea on Sunday as he arrived for the second leg of his three-nation tour. In a traditional gesture of respect, his counterpart James Marape bowed down to touch the feet of Prime Minister Modi.
He was accorded with a Guard of Honour at Port Moresby and was also given a ceremonial welcome by the government.
#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches Papua New Guinea, receives ceremonial welcome.PM Modi’s visit is the first-ever visit by the Indian PM to Papua New Guinea. pic.twitter.com/E0srfABHAv
— ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2023
The Indian diaspora members greeted him with great enthusiasm, and Prime Minister Modi reciprocated by smiling, waving and posing for selfies with them.
PM Modi said expressed gratitude upon his welcome in a tweet and said, “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.”
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. pic.twitter.com/9pBzWQ6ANT— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 21, 2023
Prime Minister Modi landed Papua New Guinea following the successful completion of his visits to Japan for the G7 and Quad summits. This historic trip marks the first-ever visit by an Indian prime minister to Papua New Guinea. During his time in Papua New Guinea, Prime Minister Modi will co-host the third summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) alongside Prime Minister James Marape on Monday.
Expressing his gratitude for the third summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) where he will co-host along with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape, Prime Minister Narendra Modi previously stated, “I am thankful that all 14 Pacific Island Countries (PIC) have accepted the invitation to participate in this significant FIPIC summit.” The establishment of FIPIC took place during his visit to Fiji in 2014.
Additionally, the prime minister is scheduled to launch the Tok Pisin translation of “The Tirukkural” in Papua New Guinea. “The Tirukkural” is a renowned Tamil text composed by the esteemed poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar. Tok Pisin, one of the official languages of Papua New Guinea, will be the medium for this release ceremony.
