A Parliamentary Delegation From Papua New Guinea Calls On President

A Parliamentary delegation from Papua New Guinea led by the Hon. Theo Zibang Zurenuoc, Speaker of the National Parliament called on the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (August 27, 2013).

Welcoming the delegation on their first visit to India, the President said such visits between the representatives of the peoples of the two countries will help build understanding and strengthen bilateral co-operation as well as co-operation in multilateral fora on regional and global issues of common interest. He said relations between India and Papua New Guinea are founded on shared values of democracy, human rights and rule of law. Both countries share commonality of views on most global issues and have been co-operating in international fora such as the Commonwealth, Non-Aligned Movement and the United Nations Organization.

The President said India appreciates the consolidation of democracy and parliamentary practices in Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea is an example and an anchor for democracy in the region. He expressed happiness to know that Papua New Guinea’s Constitution –enacted in 1975 is based on India’s Constitution.

The President said recent high level exchanges between India and Papua New Guinea Governments have highlighted the potential for closer political and economic relations between the two countries.

The Speaker reciprocated the President’s sentiments warmly and described India as the greatest democracy in the world from which Papua New Guinea had much to learn. He expressed the hope that the visit would lead to a much greater interaction in the coming days between the two countries.

This release issued at 1400 hrs