India to develop four infrastructure projects in Marshall Islands as part of Pacific outreach
| 2024-07-15
EAM S Jaishankar delivers a video message on the signing of a MoU for development projects in the Marshall Islands on July 15, 2
India is also working on proposals regarding desalination units and dialysis machines, says EAM Jaishankar
In line with its commitment to the development of Pacific Island Countries, India has announced that it will implement four projects to boost infrastructure in the Marshall Islands. The community development projects include a sports centre in Ailuk Atoll, an airport terminal on Mejit Island, and community centres at the Arno and Wotje Atolls.
A Memorandum of Understanding on Annual Grant-in-Aid for these projects was signed on Monday (July 15, 2024). “These would surely provide better infrastructure to the people of Marshall Islands,” India’s External Affairs Minister said in his video message on the occasion. He added that India was also working on the proposals regarding desalination units and dialysis machines for the Republic of Marshall Islands.
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Marshall Islands President Hilda C. Heine and Foreign Minister Kalani Kaneko in addition to India’s Ambassador Sibi George.
He noted that India and the Republic of the Marshall Islands share a long history of friendly bilateral relations, which has expanded over the years, including under the aegis of the Forum of India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC).
“At the 3rd FIPIC Summit, Prime Minister Modi announced our concrete commitments to the Pacific Islands. I am glad to witness the progress in achieving them,” he noted. He also recalled what Prime Minister Modi said at the Summit - that the Islands in the Pacific are not "small Islands” but rather "large Ocean countries”.
“We consider it our responsibility to support the Pacific Islands in their quest for sustainable development. Climate change, natural disasters, poverty alleviation and healthcare are common challenges that we need to address together. And India is privileged to be a partner of the Pacific Islands in that regard,” EAM Jaishankar stated.
He emphasised that India recognizes the priorities and needs of the Pacific Island nations. “Healthcare and related infrastructure, quality and affordable medicines, wellness and lifestyle, centres of excellence, education and capacity building, development of SME sector, renewable energy and clean water facilities; all these are some of the focus areas of our cooperation. India is always ready to do more with our Indo-Pacific partners,” EAM Jaishankar explained.
On behalf of the people of India, he also extended his congratulations for successfully organizing the 10th Micronesian Games last month in Marshall Islands. “We celebrated the 10th International Day of Yoga last month. I thank Excellency President Dr Hilda Heine for presiding over the celebrations held in Majuro,” he added.
India’s Pacific Outreach
The Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) is a landmark initiative launched in 2014 as part of India’s Act East Policy. India and 14 Pacific Island Countries (PICs), including Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Samoa, Vanuatu, Niue, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Marshall Islands, the Cook Islands, Palau, Nauru, and the Solomon Islands, are a part of the FIPIC initiative.
Prime Minister Modi hosted the First FIPIC Summit in Suva on November 19 2014 during his historic visit to Fiji, with participation of all 14 Pacific Island Countries (PICs). The FIPIC II Summit was held in Jaipur, India, on August 21, 2015, with all 14 PICs taking part again.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will co-host the third summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC III Summit) alongside Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape in Port Moresby on May 22, 2023.
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