The bilateral MoU will encourage cooperation between the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare of India and the Ministry of Health and HIV/AIDS of the Papua New Guinea through joint initiatives in the health sector.
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After the completion of the maiden two-day visit to PNG by President Mukherjee, the two sides in a joint statement highlighted various worldwide and regional issues including terrorism, India’s candidature for permanent membership of the UN Security Council and maritime security.
The Asia-Pacific is ever increasing its importance as India makes a high-profile visit to the region.
During his visit to New Zealand, the President will hold meetings with Governor General Jerry Mateparae, Prime Minister John Key, and the Leader of the Opposition. Papua New Guinea is estimated to have 35 trillion cubic feet of natural gas as recoverable reserves.
President Pranab Mukherjee arrived in Papua New Guinea on Thursday. The last high-level visit from India to New Zealand was by then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1986.
“His vision and teachings remind humanity of the true values of harmonious co-existence and mutual respect and the need to work together for the equality and freedom of all individuals”.
India today offered Papua New Guinea its technology, financial wherewithal, skilled manpower and institutional support to harness the mineral-rich countrys abundant natural resources and establish mutually beneficial economic and commercial ventures.
The President extended invitation to students from PNG to take advantage of the scholarships announced by the country for scholars of these countries and attend institutions of higher education and centres of excellence in India.
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India traditionally shared close relations with New Zealand with the Indian diaspora of 1,75,000 helping to further cement bilateral ties, said Jaideep Mazumdar, Joint Secretary (South), Ministry of External Affairs. He will also address the students of the Auckland University of Technology. Two Indian institutions are placed within the top 200 universities in the global ranking system.
