India’s Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles Pabitra Margerita visits to Papua New Guinea

(Forelines) – On September 16, 2025, Pabitra Margherita, Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles [MOS(PM)], traveled to Papua New Guinea on official business at the invitation of the Government of Papua New Guinea. She was there to represent Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the celebrations of Papua New Guinea’s 50th anniversary of independence, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

During the visit, MoS(PM) paid a visit to Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and wished him a happy 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea’s independence on behalf of the Government of India.

The two parties engaged in extensive talks during this meeting about a number of bilateral relationship topics and how to strengthen India-Papua New Guinea relations.

The Indian Naval Ship INS Kadmatt had previously taken part in the fleet review from August 30 to September 8, 2025, as well as the 50th anniversary celebrations of Papua New Guinea.

On the occasion of their 50th anniversary of independence, the President of India also wrote to Bob Bofeng Dadae, the Governor-General of Papua New Guinea, to extend the warmest greetings from the Indian government and people to the government and friendly citizens of Papua New Guinea.

Our External Affairs Minister also sent greetings to his counterpart, Hon. Justin Tkatchenko, the Foreign Affairs Minister of Papua New Guinea, on the country’s Independence Day.

MoS(PM) was present at the flag-raising ceremony at Independence Hill and other festivities honoring Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Day in Port Moresby.

MoS(PM) also had quick pull-aside meetings with Hon. Wesley Simina, the president of the Federated States of Micronesia, and Hon. Manoa Kamikamica, the deputy prime minister of Fiji, on the fringes of the celebrations for Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Day.

In a community event held at the Indian High Commission in Port Moresby as part of the tour, the MoS (PM) spoke to members of the Indian diaspora and underlined the Government of India’s strong commitment to the welfare of the Indian diaspora.

He valued their role in fostering closer relations between the two nations. Additionally, MoS(PM) conducted fruitful conversations with Papua New Guinea’s business community, which included prominent textile entrepreneurs.

Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic 3rd Summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) in Port Moresby in May 2023, MOS(PM)’s visit to Papua New Guinea offered a chance to further engage with the Pacific Island Countries’ (PICs’) leadership.