Opening of the India Cooperation Forum

On May 22, the India- Pacific Islands Cooperation Forum took place in the capital Port Moresby of Papua New Guinea.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape affirmed that India is a country with a leadership role in the Southern Hemisphere - a region with many low- and middle-income countries.

Meanwhile, speaking to 14 leaders attending the India- Pacific Islands Cooperation Forum, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed that the South Asian country will be a trusted partner for small island nations facing difficulties due to supply chain disruptions and climate change. India is committed to promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Earlier, in a bilateral meeting with the Papua New Guinea leader, Prime Minister Modi said the two sides discussed measures to enhance cooperation in the fields of trade, technology, health and climate change response.

As planned, on May 22, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will sign a defense cooperation agreement between the US and Papua New Guinea, as well as hold a meeting with leaders of Pacific island nations in the afternoon of the same day.

The US State Department said Washington will provide $45 million in new funding in partnership with Papua New Guinea to strengthen economic and security cooperation, including equipment to support Papua New Guinea's defense, mitigate climate change, and address transnational crime and HIV/AIDS.

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the US-Papua New Guinea defense agreement is an extension of the existing relationship between the two countries, not only in terms of military presence but also in terms of development.

According to the previous schedule, US President Joe Biden was also to visit Papua New Guinea after attending the G7 Summit in Japan. However, the US leader had to shorten his schedule and return home early to resolve the deadlock in negotiations on raising the public debt ceiling.

VNA

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