India Asks Pacific Island Nations To Identify Priority Areas For Cooperation

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has urged Pacific island nations to identify their priority areas so India can tailor development and capacity-building programmes to their specific needs.

Speaking at a meeting of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) on Wednesday, Jaishankar said India could design specialised modules in areas identified by the Pacific nations. He suggested that professionals from the region could travel to India for training over a set period in fields they consider important.

Jaishankar said India tailors aid to partner countries’ priorities and does not burden them with loans. India channels much of its assistance through the India-UN Development Partnership Fund and IBSA Fund, with a $150 million commitment to the former.

He also invited the 14 Pacific island nations to propose Quick Impact Projects that India can fund using local resources. The projects aim to deliver quick results and benefit local communities.

He said these initiatives could strengthen community participation by supporting locally relevant products and services and improving their processing and value.

During the meeting, Jaishankar reviewed the progress of India-supported development programmes across the Pacific island nations.

The projects cover a range of sectors, including renewable energy, housing, healthcare, skills development and technology.

India’s assistance has included solar power projects, housing initiatives and training for women engineers. It has also supported the use of space technology, provided sea ambulances and contributed to the construction of hospitals.

The initiatives form part of India’s broader engagement with Pacific island nations under FIPIC, with a focus on locally identified needs, capacity building and community-level development.

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