Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ Two Indian Navy ships, INS Sahyadri and INS Kolkata, are currently on a goodwill visit to Papua New Guinea and will be berthed at Port Moresby from 2 to 4 August. The Indian community members residing in Papua New Guinea will have the opportunity to visit the ships on 3 August.
The High Commission of India in Port Moresby announced the visit on Twitter and invited the Indian diaspora to be a part of the historic visit. The ships’ arrival marks a significant collaboration between India and Papua New Guinea’s defense forces, strengthening the warm and friendly relations between the two nations.
INS Sahyadri, under the command of Captain Anil Jaggi and carrying over 200 crew members, had previously undertaken a goodwill visit to Port Moresby in June 2017. During this visit, the ships’ commanding officers met with Cmde Philip Polewara, DCDF, along with other official interactions
India and Papua New Guinea established diplomatic ties on 19 May 1976, and India further solidified its presence in the country by inaugurating its High Commission in Port Moresby in April 1996.
Earlier this year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Papua New Guinea and chaired the 3rd Summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit. During his visit, PM Modi engaged in bilateral discussions with his counterpart James Marape and explored avenues for cooperation in commerce, technology, healthcare, and climate change.
India’s continued diplomatic engagements with Papua New Guinea come in the context of China’s efforts to increase its influence in the Pacific. The visit of the Indian Navy to Papua New Guinea serves as a counterbalance to China’s growing presence in the region and underscores the broader geopolitical context in which these interactions are taking place. As India and Papua New Guinea strengthen their ties through cooperative engagements, it reinforces a collaborative approach to regional stability and security.
