Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up his extensive three-nation tour with a visit to Australia, where he addressed a community event celebrating the Indian diaspora. With over 673,000 Indian-born citizens residing in Australia, Indians make up the second-largest diaspora community in the country, following the British. PM Modi also held talks with his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, and engaged in discussions with Australian CEOs and business leaders.
The visit to Australia followed the first leg of PM Modi’s tour, during which he attended the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan. At the summit, he highlighted global challenges related to food, fertilizers, and energy security. The Prime Minister engaged in bilateral talks with various world leaders and participated in the third in-person meeting of the Quad, emphasizing the importance of peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. In a significant gesture, PM Modi inaugurated a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, symbolizing India’s commitment to peace and non-violence.
During the G7 summit, PM Modi also met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expressing India’s support for dialogue and diplomacy in resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. This meeting marked their first encounter since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
From Japan, PM Modi proceeded to Papua New Guinea (PNG), where he hosted the third summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC). This visit held historical significance as it marked the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to PNG. PM Modi received a warm welcome, including a gun salute and a traditional foot-touching gesture by PNG Prime Minister James Marape. The FIPIC Summit witnessed the participation of leaders from 14 countries, focusing on deepening ties and cultural exchanges between India and the Pacific Island nations. During the visit, PM Modi released a translation of the Tamil classic ‘Thirukkural’ in the Tok Pisin language, strengthening the cultural connection between India and PNG.
As a testament to his efforts in fostering relations with Pacific Island nations, PM Modi was bestowed with the highest civilian awards of both PNG and Fiji. The Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu (GCL) was conferred upon him by PNG Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae for championing the unity of Pacific Island countries and advocating for the Global South.
Throughout the tour, culinary diplomacy played a significant role, with Indian cuisine taking center stage. At the banquet lunch hosted by PM Modi during the FIPIC Summit, traditional Indian delicacies and dishes made from millets, a nutritious grain, were served, showcasing the diverse flavors of India.
Overall, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-nation tour left a lasting impression, emphasizing India’s role in global affairs, strengthening diplomatic ties, and promoting cultural exchanges with Japan, Papua New Guinea, and Australia.