FIPIC Summit: India’s strategic engagement with Pacific Island countries
- India's involvement with these 14 nations aligns with its Act East Policy, and the country has primarily fostered its relationships with them through developmental aid as part of South-South Cooperation.
During the third India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit held in Papua New Guinea, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in meetings with leaders from Pacific Island nations.
On this occasion, he unveiled a comprehensive 12-step initiative aimed at advancing India's collaborations with the countries in the Pacific region.
"FIPIC SME Development Project, Solar project for Government buildings, Provide desalination units for drinking water, Supply sea ambulances, Set up dialysis units, Set up of 24x7 emergency helpline, Set up of Jan Aushadi Kendras, Set up Yoga centres," he added.
India's development partnership with Pacific Island Countries (PICs) encompasses various areas, such as infrastructure development, with a particular emphasis on education, health, and culture.
Additionally, community development projects have involved initiatives such as refurbishing libraries and school buildings, renovating colleges, providing IT infrastructure to educational institutions, and establishing digital libraries.
India's involvement with these 14 nations aligns with its Act East Policy, and the country has primarily fostered its relationships with them through developmental aid as part of South-South Cooperation.
As part of the Act East Policy, India established the Forum for FIPIC and its inaugural gathering was convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Fiji in 2014. All 14 countries actively participated in this landmark event.
In 2015, the second meeting of the forum was held in Jaipur, with the participation of all 14 countries. During this gathering, numerous initiatives were announced to promote the development and well-being of the people. Given the increasing significance of the Indo-Pacific region on a regional and global scale, Pacific Island Countries (PICs) have garnered considerable attention from countries such as China, Japan, the United States, Russia, and others.
India has supported Fiji and Papua New Guinea by providing indelible ink for their general elections. Notably, an important healthcare initiative, the Jaipur Foot Camp, was organized in Fiji in collaboration with the Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services, fully funded by the Indian government.
During the camp, approximately 600 Fijians received customized prosthetic limbs. India has also extended Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to Pacific Island Countries (PICs) on several occasions. Additionally, India has aided various PICs during the COVID-19 pandemic by supplying vaccines and medical supplies.
In addition to bilateral engagements, the establishment of the India-UN Development Partnership Fund in 2017 has been significant. The fund's primary objective is to provide assistance to developing countries, with a specific focus on Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and small island developing states, by supporting sustainable development projects that are based on their specific needs and demands.
(With inputs from agencies)
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First Published:22 May 2023, 01:05 PM IST
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