Papua New Guinea names its first defence advisor to India

Recently Papua New Guinea (PNG) has appointed its first defence advisor to India. PNG has appointed 'Colonel Edison Napyo' to this post. Colonel Edison Napyo succeeds Commodore Philip Polewara, PNG's acting Chief of Defense Forces in India.

Napyo will be the link between the PNG government and the army:

• According to a statement issued by the Office of the Chief of Defence Force of Papua New Guinea, Napyo will serve as a link between the PNG government and military in the country.
• The appointment of Colonel Edison Napyo comes at a time when the India-Philippines BrahMos deal has been finalized. China is also trying to increase its presence in the Pacific region.

Relations between India and Papua New Guinea:

• India and Papua New Guinea formalized diplomatic relations in 1976. The two nations enjoy cordial and amicable relations. Both countries are working together in international forums including the Commonwealth, the Non-Aligned Movement and the United Nations Organization. This appointment will boost the current minimal military exchanges and relations.
• During the Corona epidemic, when many countries of the world had banned the export of its vaccine to other countries, India had helped PNG.
• India had sent 1 lakh 31 thousand doses to Papua New Guinea during the Corona epidemic.
• India opened its first High Commission in the island country of Papua New Guinea 28 years ago in 1996.
• The island nation opened a High Commission in India in 2006, 10 years after opening a High Commission in Papua New Guinea.
• Narendra Modi is the first Prime Minister to visit Papua New Guinea, before President Pranab Mukherjee had visited this country in 2016.
• India exports many types of goods to PNG, which include textiles, medicines, surgical items, soaps, machinery, essential goods etc.
• India keeps providing humanitarian assistance to PNG from time to time.
• More than 3000 Indians live in Papua New Guinea.

Help from India to Papua New Guinea:

• PM Modi participated in the third conference of FIPIC in PNG. During this time, PM Modi had also announced a 12-point action plan for the countries of the Indo-Pacific.
• India will make PNG the hub of IT and cyber security.
• India will help in setting up small and medium industries.
• Under Sagar Amrit Scholarship, scholarship will be provided to 1000 students in the next five years.

Prime Minister Modi had visited PNG:

• In May 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited PNG.
• Prime Minister of host country Papua New Guinea James Marape himself was present at the airport to welcome PM Modi. Here, as soon as PM Modi got down from his plane, Marape was seen touching his feet. After this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi patted Marape on his back and lifted him.
• Prime Minister Modi attended the third summit of the Forum for India Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) during this period. Where he spoke in favor of a free and open Indo-Pacific region and focused on India's commitment to supporting development goals.
• Two Pacific island nations, Papua New Guinea and Fiji, were honored with the highest honor during Prime Minister Modi's visit.
• Prime Minister of host country Papua New Guinea James Marape himself was at the airport to welcome PM Modi.
• Upon Modi's arrival, Marape was observed paying respects by touching his feet. After this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi patted Marape on his back and lifted him.
• India opened its High Commission in Portsmouth in April 1996.
• This is the first time that an Indian Prime Minister has visited this Indo-Pacific country of Papua New Guinea. However, before PM Modi, President Pranab Mukherjee had visited here in the year 2016.

About Papua New Guinea (PNG):

• Capital: Port Moresby
• Currency: Kina
• Prime Minister: James Marape