India–Pacific Island Countries / FIPIC

Why in News?

Recently, the External Affairs Minister proposed customised capacity-building programmes for Pacific Island Countries (PICs).

• It was the 2nd Foreign Ministers’ Meeting under the FIPIC framework.
• Proposed at – FIPIC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New York.
• Held alongside – 81^st session of the UN General Assembly.

• India's Major Initiatives with Pacific Island Countries
  • Customized training programs tailored to the specific priorities of individual Pacific Island Countries (PICs).
  • Professionals from Pacific Island Countries (PICs) may participate in specialized training programs conducted in India.
  • Training modules will be developed based on the specific needs identified by each participating country.
• Healthcare Cooperation Initiatives
  • Establishment of a 100-bed super-specialty hospital in Fiji.
  • Hemodialysis machines have been supplied to the following countries:
    • Papua New Guinea
    • Solomon Islands
    • Samoa
    • Palau
    • Nauru
    • Kiribati
    • Marshall Islands
  • Twelve member states have requested a total of 20 sea ambulances.
  • Delivery of the sea ambulances is anticipated by March 2027.
  • An artificial limb fitment camp is planned to be held in Fiji.
  • Approximately 650 patients are expected to benefit from this initiative.
  • The Indian Pharmacopoeia has been recognized by the following countries:
  • Fiji
  • Nauru
  • Solomon Islands
  • Medicines have been supplied to Nauru.
• Digital and Information Technology Cooperation – India has committed to establishing the following initiatives:
• Centres of Excellence in Information Technology and training programs for local trainers
• These initiatives have been completed in the following countries:
  • Fiji
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Cook Islands
  • Vanuatu
  • Nauru
  • Niue
  • Solomon Islands
  • Marshall Islands
• Renewable Energy and Solarisation Initiatives – India has completed the following initiatives:
  • Solarisation of 2,800 households was achieved.
  • These efforts were implemented across 14 Pacific Island countries.
  • Seventy women were trained as solar engineers.
• Significance
  • Facilitation of the clean energy transition
  • Improvement of energy access
  • Enhancement of women's participation in renewable energy sectors
  • Strengthening of climate resilience
• Space and Ocean Cooperation Initiatives – India intends to establish the following institutions:
  • Space Technology Application Centre
    • Location – Papua New Guinea
  • Sustainable Coastal and Ocean Research Institute
    • Location – University of the South Pacific
• These initiatives aim to strengthen the following areas:
  • Space technology applications
  • Ocean research
  • Coastal management
  • Climate-related research
• India–UN Development Partnership Fund – India has implemented 20 projects through the fund, with three projects currently in progress.
• Key focus areas include:
  • Climate change mitigation
  • Promotion of renewable energy
  • Advancement of sustainable development
  • Improvement of healthcare systems
  • Development of water infrastructure
• Highlighted ongoing projects:
  • Country      Area
  • Federated States of Micronesia      Health
  • Tuvalu        Water infrastructure
• Quick-Impact Projectd – India has extended invitations to Pacific Island Countries (PICs) to submit proposals for Quick-Impact Projects (QIPs).
• Key Features
  • Projects are designed to generate measurable impact at the community level.
  • Initiatives prioritize the utilization of local resources.
  • Indian funding support is available as needed.
• Priority Areas
  • Processing of locally produced goods
  • Support for educational institutions
  • Community development initiatives
• To date, proposals have been received from seven member states.
• India's Wider Pacific Engagement – It facilitates cooperation with Pacific Island Countries (PICs) through the following initiatives:
  • International Solar Alliance (ISA)
    • Focus on advancing solar energy cooperation
  • Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
    • Focus on promoting disaster-resilient infrastructure
• Both initiatives are particularly relevant to Pacific Island Countries due to their heightened vulnerability to the following risks:
  • Sea-level rise
  • Extreme weather events
  • Cyclones
  • Climate change

Reference

DD News | FIPIC