India’s 80th Independence Day was recently celebrated in Port Moresby with attendees from both Papua New Guinea and India as well as various countries gathering to mark the occasion and witness the growing relationship between the two countries.
The celebration hosted by the High Commission of India, brought together Prime Minister James Marape, West New Britain Governor, Sasindran Muthuvel and Indian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, H.E Shri Rajeev Kumar.
In his address, Indian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea H.E Shri Rajeev Kumar reflected on India’s journey since gaining independence in 1947, describing freedom as a foundation for the country’s democratic, economic and social transformation.
He highlighted India’s diversity, noting its large Muslim, Christian and Buddhist populations, as well as its 22 official languages and thousands of other languages.
Kumar also pointed out PNG’s academic involvement in various subjects in India.
“This year alone, more than 1,500 students from PNG have gone to India for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in engineering, medicine, information technology, hotel management, MBA programs and other fields.”
West New Britain’s Governor Sasindran Muthuvel, meanwhile, used the occasion to recognize India's support during times of crisis.
Assistance provided following the Mulitaka landslide in Enga Province and the Mount Ulawun volcanic eruption in West New Britain, as well as India's support during the COVID-19 pandemic, were emphasized as examples of the two countries' growing friendship.
“True friendship between nations is not measured only by trade figures but it is also measured who stands beside you when your people are suffering.”
Prime Minister James Marape, called for solidary between the people of India and Papua New Guinea, in the midst of our differences.
“One of the greatest contributions PNG has is our ability to tolerate human diversity.”
“Because we are the most diverse nation ourselves, we tolerate someone else from another language group, religion and class.”
“I want to encourage India on its 80th anniversary and maintain that level of tolerance and diversity.”
