India, Papua New Guinea condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations

India and Papua New Guinea have unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and called upon all states to reject the use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy.

A joint statement issued after the talks between President Pranab Mukherjee and Governor General of Papua New Guinea Sir Michael Ogio said both leaders agreed to cooperate in building an international consensus against support and financing of terrorist organisations.

The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in multilateral fora in combating terrorism in all its manifestations and for the early adoption of India's proposal for a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the United Nations.

President Mukherjee reiterated India's commitment to assist Papua New Guinea in capacity building and human resource development.

"India also offered to share its advanced techniques and technologies in the agriculture sector. In this connection, the leaders welcomed the MoU between the Indian Council for Agricultural Research and the Papua New Guinea University of Technology, Lae," the joint statement said.

Keeping in view India's desire to achieve energy security, Papua New Guinea agreed to develop new avenues of cooperation with India in exploration and development of the country's vast oil and gas resources through joint ventures and Indian public and private sector investment in new and existing projects.

"Papua New Guinea welcomed the Government of India's initiative to mobilise solar rich resource countries that lie between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn through the International Solar Alliance, which was launched in Paris on the margins of COP21 last November," the joint statement said.

"The Governor General of Papua New Guinea reaffirmed Papua New Guinea's support and expressed its desire to be a founding member of the International Solar Alliance," the joint statement adds.

Both leaders during the wide ranging and constructive discussions held in a most cordial atmosphere underlined the close and friendly bilateral ties, which are deep rooted in history and which hold great promise for the future.

"The Governor General, Grand Chief Sir Michael Ogio, reiterated his Government's support for India's candidature for Permanent Membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), especially in light of the constructive role played by India in different multilateral fora and in recognition of India's continuous support for the issues that are central to the concerns of Small Island Developing States," the joint statement said.

Both leaders expressed confidence that Papua New Guinea with its abundant natural resources and India with its managerial and technical expertise presented complementarities which could be built upon for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

"They recognized that there exists great synergy and potential for increased cooperation between the two countries. Papua New Guinea looks forward to greater investments and larger trade volumes with India," the joint statement said.

"Both sides agreed to expedite the conclusion of a Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) to facilitate investments. Both leaders agreed to enhance bilateral relations in the economic, security, defence, education and health sectors," the joint statement adds.