India extends deep sympathy to the government and the people of Papua New Guinea for the destruction caused by the disaster
India on Wednesday announced US$1 million immediate relief assistance to Papua New Guinea in the wake of volcanic eruption in the country.
 
On November 20, 2023, a major volcanic eruption of Mount Ulawun in Papua New Guinea forced the evacuation of more than 26,000 people and created urgent humanitarian needs.

As a close friend and development partner under the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) and as a gesture of solidarity with the friendly people of Papua New Guinea, the government of India extends an immediate relief assistance to support relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts in Papua New Guinea, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

India has firmly stood by Papua New Guinea during times of crisis and devastation caused by natural disasters, as in the wake of the earthquake in 2018 and volcanic eruption in 2019.
 
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management is an important pillar of India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI) announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2019.