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What is FIPIC?
What is FIPIC. FIPIC as a viable concept was mooted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after he chose to visit Fiji soon after democracy was re-established in the island country after eight years of political unrest.
The second Forum for India-Pacific Islands Co-operation (FIPIC) Summit was held in Jaipur on August 21. FIPIC has India and 14 other members from Pacific Island countries like Fiji, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The multi-national grouping was developed in 2014 and its first summit was held at Fiji’s Suva in November of the same year.
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FIPIC as a viable concept was mooted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after he chose to visit Fiji soon after democracy was re-established in the island country after eight years of political unrest. This was essentially an extension of India's extended Act East policy, in order to actively promote friendly relations with smaller island-nations of the South Pacific, along with heavyweights in the region.
The involvement includes cooperating on multiple issues like blue economy, oil and natural gas, mining, IT, health care, fishing and marine research. More importantly, space collaboration with Pacific countries is vital as they provide ISRO a possible base to monitor launch of rockets.
At Suva India proposed a partnership in the region that included setting up of a 'special $1 million fund' for adapting climate change, establishing a 'trade office' in India, 'Pan Pacific Islands e-network' to close the physical distance between the islands by improving digital connectivity, extending visa on arrival at Indian airports for all the fourteen Pacific Island countries, 'space cooperation' in space technology applications for improving thequality of life of the islands, 'training to diplomats' from Pacific Island countries to increase mutual understanding.
It also heralded a struggle for influence between India and China in the island countries of south Pacific after Chinese President Xi followed the same trail of Modi. In Jaipur it was resolved that the Summit sets an example of partnership of the century with their shared beliefs and aspirations.
India announced a hike in the Grant-in-Aid to Pacific Island Countries from $125,000 to $200,000 annually to each for community projects selected by them. The 14 nations have supported India’s candidature for permanent membership of an expanded UN Security Council as the UNO marks its 70th anniversary.
