On May 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with ‘Companion of the Order’ to recognise his global leadership by the Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka. It’s a rare honour given to a non-Fijian.
Currently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending and co-chairing the third Summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC III Summit) in Papua New Guinea, where he interacted with the Prime Minister of Fiji. It is a key summit between India and 14 Pacific island countries to boost bilateral ties and cooperation.
The Prime Minister’s office said, “Big Honour for India. Prime Minister Modi has been conferred the highest honour of Fiji by the PM of Fiji: Companion of the Order of Fiji in recognition of his global leadership. Only a handful of Non-Fijians have received this honour to date”. The PMO also tweeted the same.
PM @narendramodi has been conferred the highest honour of Fiji, the Companion of the Order of Fiji. It was presented to him by PM @slrabuka. pic.twitter.com/XojxUIKLNm
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 22, 2023
To acknowledge exceptional achievement or the highest level of meritorious service to Fiji or humanity, the ‘Companion; is given to citizens or other foreigners through an Honorary Award. PM Modi said, “This honour is not just mine but that of 140 crore Indians, of centuries-old India-Fiji relations”.
The Ministry of External Affairs said that Prime Minister Modi dedicated this honour to the people of India and the generations of the Fiji-Indian community, who have contributed significantly to the unique and enduring bond between the two nations.
In another tweet, Narendra Modi appreciated his meeting with his Fijian counterpart, “Delighted to meet PM @slrabuka of Fiji. We had a great conversation on various topics. The relations between India and Fiji have stood the test of time. We look forward to working together to further cement it in the coming years”.
Delighted to meet PM @slrabuka of Fiji. We had a great conversation on various topics. The relation between India and Fiji has stood the test of time. We look forward to working together to further cement it in the coming years. pic.twitter.com/IfXKyWQMAM
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 22, 2023
In addition, Papua New Guinea awarded the ‘Companion of the Order of Logohu’ to the Prime Minister of India for heralding the unification of the Pacific Island nations and advancing the interests of the “Global South.”
This honour was presented by Papua New Guinea Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae to Narendra Modi. He tweeted, “Papua New Guinea has conferred the Companion of the Order of Logohu on PM @narendramodi. It was presented to him by Papua New Guinea Governor General Sir Bob Dadae”.
Papua New Guinea has conferred the Companion of the Order of Logohu on PM @narendramodi. It was presented to him by Papua New Guinea Governor General Sir Bob Dadae. pic.twitter.com/0Xki0ibW8D
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 22, 2023
During Modi’s visit to Papua New Guinea, he was presented with Ebakl by the President of Palau, Surangel Whipps, Jr. The Ebakl is one of the essential tools for the people of Palau and is closely connected to the indigenous way of life. It also represents wisdom and leadership.
Humbled by the gesture of President Surangel Whipps Jr. of presenting me with an Ebakl, which is of great cultural significance among the people of Palau. I will greatly cherish this. pic.twitter.com/eu30s9bB4R
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 22, 2023
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Papua New Guinea on May 21 to attend FIPIC, where the country’s Prime Minister, James Marape, welcomed him by touching his feet as a respectful gesture. Marape hailed him as the “leader of the Global South”.
Modi tweeted, “Prime Minister James Marape and I had very productive talks, covering the full range of bilateral relations between India and Papua New Guinea. We discussed ways to augment cooperation in commerce, technology, healthcare, and addressing climate change”.
Prime Minister James Marape and I had very productive talks, covering the full range of bilateral relations between India and Papua New Guinea. We discussed ways to augment cooperation in commerce, technology, healthcare and in addressing climate change. pic.twitter.com/cKWpyYmdtc
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 22, 2023
The state heads from 14 countries are attending the Forum for India–Pacific Islands Cooperation summit to boost bilateral ties with India. It is going to be the third meeting. The FIPIC was launched during Narendra Modi’s visit to Fiji in November 2014.
FIPIC includes 14 island countries – Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
India’s focus has largely been on the Indian Ocean, where it has sought to play a major role and protect its strategic and commercial interests. The FIPIC initiative marks a serious effort to expand India’s engagement in the Pacific region.
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