Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India supports a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific while co-chairing the third India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit on Monday in Papua New Guinea.

Speaking at the forum, Prime Minister Modi emphasised that the Pacific island countries are “large ocean countries, not small island states” in his opinion.

The third India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit was co-chaired by Prime Minister Modi and James Marape of Papua New Guinea. An important aspect of the summit is the participation of 14 Pacific Island Countries (PICs).

In his remarks at the FIPIC Summit, Prime Minister Modi stated that India is willing to share its resources and expertise with Pacific island nations.

“India is pleased to be your partner in development. India is a trustworthy business partner. Without hesitation, we are prepared to share our knowledge and skills with you. “We support a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific and believe in multilateralism,” Prime Minister Modi stated. The Prime Minister continued by saying that the Global South was where the Covid epidemic was most felt.

“Climate change, natural disasters, hunger, poverty, and health challenges were previously present, but now new issues are emerging… I’m glad that India supported its allies in the Pacific Islands during their difficult times,” PM Modi continued.

India sees it as its duty to use the G20 to communicate the concerns, hopes, and aspirations of the Global South to the rest of the globe. This was also my effort throughout the previous two days at the G7 meeting, he claimed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart from Papua New Guinea met earlier today in Port Moresby to discuss climate change, trade, technology, and healthcare.

The discussions, according to Prime Minister Modi, were fruitful and covered all aspects of the two countries’ bilateral ties.

On the second part of his three-country trip, Prime Minister Modi arrived in the Indo-Pacific nation. The Indian national anthem was played when Prime Minister Modi arrived, and the two prime ministers stood still out of respect. Upon his arrival, Prime Minister Modi also received a guard of honour.

As the first Indian prime minister to visit an Indo-Pacific nation, Prime Minister Modi is making his first trip to PNG.