Forum
for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Partnership – international
relations
News: Recently,
India sent humanitarian aid to landslide-hit Papua New Guinea, showcasing FIPIC
partnership.
What’s in the news?
About the Forum for India-Pacific Islands
Cooperation (FIPIC)
- FIPIC
includes 14 of the island countries – Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati,
Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa,
Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
- Though
these countries are relatively small in land area and distant from India,
many have large exclusive economic zones (EEZs), and offer promising
possibilities for fruitful cooperation.
- It
is a testament to India’s strategic engagement with the Pacific Island
countries, scattered across the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. They
hold immense significance from both an economic and geostrategic
standpoint.
- The Prime
Minister of India, in 2014, convened the inaugural FIPIC gathering in
Fiji, which marked a pivotal moment in India’s Act East Policy —
a vision that extends beyond the Asian continent to embrace the
Indo-Pacific region.
- India
unveiled the 12-Step Initiative at the third
FIPIC Summit, held in Papua New Guinea, which includes:
- FIPIC
SME Development Project: Supporting
small and medium-sized enterprises in the region.
- Solar
Projects for Government Buildings: Harnessing
renewable energy.
- Desalination
Units for Drinking Water: Addressing water
scarcity.
- Supply
of Sea Ambulances: Enhancing
healthcare access.
- 24×7
Emergency Helpline: Strengthening
emergency response.
- Jan
Aushadi Kendras: Affordable healthcare
solutions.
- Yoga
Centres: Promoting holistic well-being.
- Beyond
Infrastructure: Education, Health, and Culture
- India’s
development partnership with Pacific Island Countries (PICs) extends
beyond infrastructure. Education, health, and culture are key areas of
focus.
- Advocacy
for India’s UN Security Council Seat: Support
for India’s bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security
Council has been high on the FIPIC agenda.