President embarks on two-nation tour to Papua New Guinea and New Zealand
Mukherjee arrived in Papua New Guinea on Thursday morning on the first leg of his two-nation visit and was given a warm welcome.
He was received by Deputy Prime Minister of PNG Leo Dion.
The President inspected a guard of honour as a 21-gun salute was accorded to him.
The visit of the President is seen as a diplomatic move to counter China's growing influence in the Pacific Island nations.
Before his departure from India, his Press Secretary Venu Rajamony had said the visit was a natural extension of India's 'Look East' policy.
India is looking to enter the health market of the island nation.
Ahead of his visit here, the Indian government had approved the signing of an agreement between the two countries, seeking cooperation in the field of healthcare and medical sciences.
The pact will encourage cooperation between the Health Ministries of both the nations through joint initiatives in the sector.
The visit of the President is seen as a diplomatic move to counter China's growing influence in the Pacific Island nations.
Before his departure from India, his Press Secretary Venu Rajamony had said the visit was a natural extension of India's 'Look East' policy.
India is looking to enter the health market of the island nation.
Ahead of his visit here, the Indian government had approved the signing of an agreement between the two countries, seeking cooperation in the field of healthcare and medical sciences.
The pact will encourage cooperation between the Health Ministries of both the nations through joint initiatives in the sector.
The visit is likely to give push to Indian pharmaceutical companies to set up businesses in the Pacific nation after the local government withdrew a ban in January.
