WATCH | As Indian PM Modi lands, Papua New Guinea PM touches his feet

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday (May 21), arrived in Papua New Guinea marking the beginning of the second half of his three-nation visit and what is the first visit by an Indian PM to the island country. PM Modi travelled to Papua New Guinea on a historic trip where he received a grand welcome from the island nation’s Prime Minister James Marape. 

As the Indian PM landed in Papua New Guinea, the country’s premier was at the airport to receive him and even appeared to touch his feet in the typical Indian way of showing respect to elders. PM Modi arrived just after 10:00 pm (local time) in the capital Port Moresby.

The video shows Modi walking down the ladder of the aircraft which was laid with a red carpet.

As the Modi walked towards him on the tarmac, the PNG PM his shook hands, hugged him, and held his hand before moving down to touch the feet of the Indian leader. 

The Indian PM stopped him midway, as sounds of what appeared to be firecrackers or a gun salute were heard in the background. He then patted the back of Marape and hugged him again, before greeting other officials who were present to greet him.

The Indian PM was welcomed by a 19-gun salute and a Guard of Honour, as well as traditional dancers. 

Upon his arrival, the Indian PM also took to Twitter and thanked PM Marape for coming to the airport and welcoming him. “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,” wrote PM Modi. 

PM Modi also took a moment to interact with the people from the Indian diaspora who were waiting for his arrival in the island nation.

“The Indian community in Papua New Guinea came in large numbers and showed remarkable affection. Thankful to them for the memorable welcome,” said PM Modi, about the welcome by the Indian community in the island nation.

“The visit underscores the close friendship of India with the Pacific Island countries,” said the Ministry of External Affairs. The Indian PM is visiting the island nation for the third summit of the Forum for India–Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) which he will jointly host with his PNG counterpart on May 22. He will also hold bilateral engagements in Papua New Guinea, including meetings with Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae and PM Marape. 

FIPIC involves India and 14 Pacific Island Countries, namely, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

 

During his visit to the island nation, Indian PM Modi will also hold his first meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, who arrived earlier on Sunday. 

PM Modi will then leave for Australia where he is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese in Sydney. However, the Australian leader will be absent from the Pacific summit after United States President Joe Biden cut short his diplomatic tour over US debt crisis talks. Quad summit in Australia was, cancelled as Biden rescheduled his plans and the leaders of the four countries – India, the US, Australia and Japan – met in Hiroshima.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to represent Washington in place of Biden for a parallel summit in Papua New Guinea with Marape and Pacific leaders on Monday. 

(With inputs from agencies) 

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