We delve into the intriguing moment when Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister James Marape touched the feet of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) summit. Despite PNG’s customary practice of not conducting ceremonial welcomes after sunset, an exception was made for PM Modi. This act of touching feet is a traditional Indian gesture of respect and seeking blessings. Viewers are left wondering about the significance of this gesture in PNG’s welcome ceremony for PM Modi. It could symbolize admiration for PM Modi and India or be a diplomatic gesture honoring cultural traditions. The true intention behind this gesture remains open to interpretation. However, it is likely attributed to India’s assistance to PNG during the challenging times of the Covid-19 and volcano crisis that struck the country in 2018. India and Papua New Guinea share strong ties, with PNG receiving its first major shipment of COVID-19 vaccines from India in 2021. This vaccine delivery played a crucial role in PNG’s vaccination program, which had experienced delays due to reliance on the global COVAX vaccine-sharing scheme.
WATCH: The Real Reason Papua New Guinea PM Touched Modi’s Feet
