Union Minister Pabitra Margherita to Represent PM Modi at Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Day

Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, will visit Papua New Guinea on September 16 to represent Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the official events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Saturday.

The visit comes at a significant moment in Papua New Guinea’s history as it marks five decades of sovereignty. Margherita will participate in a series of commemorative events and is expected to engage with the country’s top political leadership during his visit. According to the MEA, the minister will also interact with the Indian diaspora and business community in Papua New Guinea to further strengthen people-to-people and economic ties.

The visit underscores India’s commitment to deepening relations with Pacific Island nations and builds upon the success of recent diplomatic engagements in the region. Notably, it follows the 3rd Summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC), held in Port Moresby in May 2023, where Prime Minister Modi co-chaired discussions with leaders of 14 Pacific Island countries.

At that historic summit, PM Modi had reaffirmed India’s support for the development priorities of Pacific nations, offering enhanced cooperation in sectors like climate resilience, health, digital connectivity, and capacity building. Margherita’s visit aims to sustain that momentum and reinforce India’s role as a reliable partner in the Indo-Pacific region.

India and Papua New Guinea share warm and growing bilateral ties, especially in areas such as development cooperation, capacity building, energy, and education. The Indian community in Papua New Guinea, though small, has made valuable contributions in business, health care, and education.

Through this high-level visit, India seeks to reaffirm its commitment to South-South cooperation and demonstrate solidarity with friendly nations in the Global South. The participation of Minister Margherita in Papua New Guinea’s golden jubilee celebrations highlights the importance India places on its partnership with the country and the broader Pacific region.

The visit is expected to further advance India’s diplomatic footprint in the Pacific, while promoting mutual respect, shared values, and strategic collaboration.