India-PNG bubble proposed

PRIME Minister James Marape has proposed the creation of a travel bubble between India and Papua New Guinea.
While bidding farewell to outgoing Indian High Commissioner Sushil Kumar Singhal in Port Moresby recently, Marape said the bubble was aimed at promoting the continuity of economic, political, business and trade and investment between the two countries.
Marape thanked the Indian government for making available US$100 million (about K331mil) which PNG could use for infrastructure.
He told Singhal that he would write to Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey to ensure PNG could draw down this line of credit.
Marape also requested for assistance on biometric technology to be made available to the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission to help in the election processes and procedures in minimising challenges associated with electoral fraud and double voting.
He asked for the Indian government to expand the existing military training in India to include medical training for Papua New Guineans as well.
In response, Singhal told Marape that he would remind his successor to work closely with the PNG Government on the matters when he formally took office.
Singhal raised concerns about visa on arrival for Indian citizens.
He said visa on arrival had not been applied on a reciprocal basis as per the visa agreement between Papua New Guinea and Indian governments.
Another concern that Singhal raised was in relation to Coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions in the country as they applied to Indian visitors to PNG.