Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape’s praise for Prime Minister Modi

Port Moresby:

Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, James Marape, today told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Pacific island nations regard the Indian Prime Minister as the leader of the Global South and will rally behind India’s leadership in international forums.

Highlighting the problems faced by Pacific island nations due to the Russian-Ukrainian war, James Marape said this during the Third India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit co-chaired by Prime Minister Modi.

“We are victims of a global power game… You (Prime Minister Modi) are the leader of the Global South. We will rally behind your leadership (of India) at global forums,” Mr. Marape.

He pointed to the inflationary pressure on his country due to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

He said Pacific Island nations are facing the brunt of war as they have high fuel costs and electricity tariffs and suffer from the fact that large nations are at stake in terms of geopolitics and struggles. to be able to.

“The issue of Ukraine’s war with Russia or Russia’s war with Ukraine rather, we are importing inflation into our own small economies. These nations sitting in front of you, Prime Minister (PM Modi ), have high fuel and electricity tariff costs in their own country and we are suffering from the fact that big nations are at stake in terms of geopolitics and power struggles there,” Marape said. .

He urged Prime Minister Modi to be an active voice for small island nations at global forums such as the G20 and G7, adding, “You are the voice that can bring our issues to the top as advanced economies discuss of issues related to economics, commerce, trade and geopolitics.”

Hr urged India to use the Third India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit to be a strong voice and champion the region’s challenges.

“We ask you, taking advantage of this time when I co-chair and speak on behalf of my little brothers and sisters in the nations of the Pacific. While our land may be small and the number may be small, our area and our space in the Pacific are great. The world uses for trade, commerce and travel,” the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea added.

He further urged Prime Minister Modi to be an advocate for Pacific island nations, adding, “We want you to be an advocate for us. As you attend these meetings and continue to fight for the rights of small nations emerging countries and emerging economies”.

“Our leaders will have a moment to talk to you. I want you, Mr. Prime Minister, to spend time listening to them. And I hope that at the end of these dialogues, relations between India and the Pacific are rooted and strengthened,” said Mr. Marape.

“But more importantly, the issues facing Pacific island countries, especially the smaller ones among us, are coming in their right context and with the support of you, the leader of the South,” said the ruler of Papua New Guinea.

Mr. Marape also highlighted the shared history of India and Papua New Guinea.

He said: “People have been traveling for thousands of years. Just as your people have lived in India for thousands of years. We all come from a common history. A history of colonization. A history that unites the nations of Global South. Thank you (Prime Minister Modi) for assuring me during the bilateral meeting that by hosting the G20 this year, you will be advocating on issues related to the Global South.”

He said that the countries of the South have development problems and worried about the use of its resources while its people are kept away from sharing its fruits.

“In the Global South, we have development challenges. Our resources are being harvested in tons and volumes. And our people have been left behind,” Marape said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi highlighted India’s assistance to Pacific island nations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The impact of the Covid pandemic has been most on the countries of the South. Challenges related to climate change, natural disasters, hunger, poverty and health were already there, now new problems arise … I am happy that India has stood by its friendly Pacific Island countries in times of hardship,” Prime Minister Modi said.

He also spoke about the supply chain disruption and said countries in the South have been affected by the global crisis and also called for UN reforms at the Pacific meeting.

“Today we are seeing disruptions in the supply chain of fuel, food, fertilizer and pharmaceuticals. Those we trusted did not support us in times of need…” said Prime Minister Modi.

Prime Minister Modi further assured that India would bring the aspirations of the Global South to the world through its G20 Presidency, adding, “That was my aim during the G7 Outreach Summit.”

(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)