BY MIRIAM MALAWA
PAPUA New Guinea is set to host two major world leaders this May, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and President Joe Biden of the United States will visit the country to discuss important agendas with the Prime Minister Hon James Marape.
Minister Tkatchenko clarified that the visits are separate, with PM Modi attending the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) and President Biden stopping over for three hours before heading to Australia for a security meeting.
“This is a once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity. When you have the American President and the Indian Prime Minister in our country at the same time,” Minister Tkatchenko stated when informing the media about President Biden’s visit on May 22, 2023.
Minister Tkatchenko also noted that President Biden’s visit is historic, as he will be the first US President to visit a Pacific Island country.
“This is a significant visit for Papua New Guinea. From what the Americans are telling me, it’s also the first time a US President has visited a Pacific Island country,” he added.
He said President Biden will be at the APEC Haus for three hours, where he will meet 18 Pacific Island and from there have a bilateral meeting and make some important announcement as part of his visit.
