India’s President Shri Pranab Mukherjee makes historic visit to PNG

President of the Republic of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee arrived in Port Moresby this morning at around 11:40am.

The president and his delegation arrived on a special Boeing 747-400 aircraft.

He was welcomed at the airport by Deputy Prime Minister Leo Dion and other government ministers.

The historic two-day visit by President Mukherjee, from April 28-29, will be the first-ever visit by a Head of State of India and South Asia and will mark a significant milestone for Papua New Guinea - India relations.

Prime Minister Peter O'Neil in a statement earlier, said his visit has opened a new chapter in further expanding cooperation and forgoing partnership at the bilateral, regional and international levels.

O'Neill and Mukerjee will witness the signing of a number of agreements and projects during this visit, which includes a grant of K7.2 million prescriptions for HIV/AIDS and ancillary equipment; the refurbishing of the Mount Hagen National  and Supreme Courts; Madang-Baiyer Road; and Kimbe Highway in West New Britain Province, totaling about $US100 million (K322.580 million) on a line of credit by the Exim Bank of India.

The president  will be meeting the Governor General before heading to Bomana War Cemetery to lay his wreaths.

The President will depart Papua New Guinea on April 29. 

Author: 
Freddy Mou