Context: 

Small island nations of the Pacific Ocean are in fact large ocean states, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the importance of the 14 members of the Forum for India Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC).

About Forum for India-Pacific Islands cooperation (FIPIC):

• FIPIC is a multinational grouping developed in 2014 for cooperation between India and 14 Pacific Islands nations. 
• Members: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
• The annual summit was conceptualized in 2014 when All Head of state/head of government of the above countries met in Suva, Fiji for the first time.
• In 2015, the second meeting of the forum was held in Jaipur.
• The third India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit is being held in Papua New Guinea.

India’s Contributions:

• Multidimensional Partnership: India’s development partnership with Pacific Island Countries (PICs) encompasses various areas, such as infrastructure development, with a particular emphasis on education, health, and culture.
• Community Development Projects have involved initiatives such as refurbishing libraries and school buildings, renovating colleges, providing IT infrastructure to educational institutions, and establishing digital libraries.
• Act East Policy: India’s involvement with these 14 nations aligns with its Act East Policy, and the country has primarily fostered its relationships with them through developmental aid as part of South-South Cooperation.
• HADR: India has been providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and has also provided assistance during the pandemic when it supplied Covid-19 Vaccines and Medical supplies.
• India-UN Development Partnership Fund: Pacific Islands nations are the beneficiary of this fund aimed to support the demand-driven sustainable development projects.

• Aid to Fight Climate Change: India has a project for providing solar electrification for 2,800 houses in 14 countries and has also undertaken training of 70 women solar engineers — Solar Mamas.

• 12-step Initiative: 

1. 1. In the third meeting of FIPIC, India unveiled a comprehensive 12-step initiative aimed at advancing India’s collaborations with the countries in the Pacific region.
   2. It includes FIPIC SME Development Project, Solar project for Government buildings, Provide desalination units for drinking water, Supply sea ambulances, setting up of dialysis units, 24×7 emergency helpline, Jan Aushadi Kendras, Yoga centers.

News Source: livemint

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