Papua New Guinea is India's most significant bilateral relationship in the Pacific Islands region — a major LNG producer, mineral-rich economy, and the largest Pacific island nation by population and territory. PNG hosted the third FIPIC Summit in 2023, reflecting its centrality to India's Pacific engagement. India's energy companies have interests in PNG's LNG sector, India exports pharmaceuticals and engineering goods, and development cooperation through ITEC and Lines of Credit is active. PNG and India share Commonwealth membership and both are members of international institutions where they coordinate on development finance reform.
COOPERATION AREAS
Where India and Papua New Guinea actually work together
5 active areas of cooperation, as of July 2026. Click any card for the full brief.
TRADE & INVESTMENT
By the numbers
All figures approximate FY 2023–24. Source: DGFT, Ministry of Commerce. LNG supply discussions and equity stake assessments are not reflected in current trade figures. PNG's primary trading partners are Australia, China, Japan, and Singapore.
$200m
Total bilateral trade in goods
$150m
India exports to country
$50m
India imports from country
Trade trajectory · USD bn
$0.2bnin FY24 · click a bar to compare years
TOP TRADED ITEMS
AGREEMENTS & MILESTONES
The relationship since 1975, in 6 dates
CURRENT STATE
Where things stand, 2026
The India-PNG relationship is in its most dynamic period since independence, driven by the 2023 Comprehensive Partnership declaration, PM Modi's Port Moresby visit, and growing convergence on LNG and critical minerals. FIPIC multilateral engagement provides the institutional scaffold. Development cooperation through ITEC and Lines of Credit is active. The most consequential near-term development is India's potential offtake or equity participation in the Papua LNG project, which would substantially deepen the energy security dimension of the bilateral relationship.
SIGNALS TO WATCH
On track / positive momentum
In progress / worth watching
Stalled or facing headwinds
Not yet started / unclear
QUICK FACTS
CapitalPort Moresby
Population10 million
RegionOceania
Diplomatic tiesSince 1975
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