PM Modi highlighted the importance of fostering deeper partnerships with the Pacific Island Countries
In a significant development aimed at strengthening ties with Pacific Island Countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a comprehensive 12-step action plan while co-hosting the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC III) Summit in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on Monday (May 22, 2023).

Expressing his gratitude to Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape for co-hosting the FIPIC III Summit along with him, PM Modi highlighted the importance of fostering deeper partnerships with the Pacific Island Countries.

The action plan presented by PM Modi includes a variety of actions that seek to improve cooperation and collaboration:

1. The building of a 100-bed regional super specialty hospital in Fiji

2. Setting up a Regional IT and Cyber Security Training Hub in Papua New Guinea

3. The Sagar Amrut Scholarships programme, which will award 100 scholarships over the next five years

4. Organization of a Jaipur foot camp in Papua New Guinea in 2023 and, thereafter, two camps annually in other PICs

5. Implementation of the FIPIC SME development project

6. The initiation of a solar project to power government buildings

7. Provision of desalination units to address drinking water needs

8. Supply of sea ambulances

9. Setting up dialysis units

10. Setting up an emergency helpline number

11. Establishment of Jan Aushadi Kendras (generic medicine centers)

12. Setting up of Yoga centres

In his opening statement at the summit, PM Modi acknowledged the difficult times the world has been going through, including the worldwide pandemic and its effects on the nations of the Global South, and highlighted the value of cooperation and assistance during such crises. He emphasized India's dedication to supporting its “Pacific island friends” by assisting with vaccinations, essential medicines, food supplies, and other essentials.

PM Modi emphasized the shared tie that connects India with these countries across the great ocean and underlined his conviction that the Pacific Island Countries are not only Small Island States but Large Ocean Countries.

He highlighted India's long-held belief that all people are members of one family and drew attention to the theme of India's G-20 presidency, ‘One Planet, One Family, One Future,’ which is based on this ideology.

The Indian Prime Minister commended the participation of representatives of Pacific Island Countries in the Voice of the Global South Summit held in January this year and reiterated India's responsibility to bringing the issues, expectations, and aspirations of the Global South on the global stage through the G-20 platform. He also highlighted India's active engagement in the recent G-7 Outreach Summit, where India advocated the concerns of the Pacific Island Forum.

Furthermore, PM Modi invited the Pacific island nations to participate in programs like the International Solar Alliance and CDRI while outlining India's challenging goals for tackling climate change (the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure). He highlighted the importance of millet as a sustainable and nourishing food supply while underscoring India's commitment to environmental protection, nutrition, and food security.

In order to demonstrate India's dedication to serving as a trustworthy partner for the humanitarian and development needs of the Pacific island countries, PM Modi cited a number of initiatives and assistance programs, including the Convention Center in Palau, a waste management project in Nauru, seeds for farmers in Fiji who were impacted by cyclones, and a solar light project in Kiribati. “We are ready to share our capabilities and experiences with you without any hesitation,” he remarked.

PM Modi underscored India's support for multilateralism, an Indo-Pacific region that is free, open, and inclusive, as well as respect for the sovereignty and integrity of all countries. He emphasized the necessity for reforms in international institutions and said the voice of the Global South “should also resonate strongly” in the UN Security Council.

PM Modi highlighted the discussions held within the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) with Australia, the United States, and Japan, focusing on the Indo-Pacific region and the decision to establish the Radio Access Network (RAN) in Palau.

Prime Minister Modi applauded the creation of the Sustainable Coastal and Ocean Research Institute (SCORI) at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji, which connects India's sustainable development with the vision of Pacific Island Countries.

Furthermore, he noted the introduction of a website for space technology that allows users to obtain remote sensing data from the Indian satellite network for use in their country's development goals.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the shared commitment to the welfare, advancement, and prosperity of the populations of the 14 nations represented at FIPIC III.