3rd FIPIC Summit 2023, PM Modi Interacted with Leaders from Pacific Island Nations

FIPIC Summit 2023: The Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) is a multinational grouping established to promote cooperation and collaboration between India and 14 Pacific Island nations. It serves as a platform for enhancing diplomatic, economic, cultural, and technical ties between the participating countries. 3^rd Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit is also important for UPSC Prelims Exam and UPSC Mains Exam (GS Paper 2- International Relations, International Grouping and Summits involving India or India’s Interests).

3^rd FIPIC Summit 2023 in News

On the sidelines of the 3rd Summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) in Port Moresby, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. James Marape, the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Prime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister Marape for the warm welcome and for co-hosting the 3rd FIPIC Summit.

PM Modi at FIPIC Summit 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in meetings with leaders from Pacific Island nations during the third India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit held in Papua New Guinea. 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.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced a comprehensive 12-step initiative designed to strengthen India’s partnerships with countries in the Pacific region.

These initiatives include-

• FIPIC SME Development Project,
• Solar project for Government buildings,
• Provide desalination units for drinking water,
• Supply sea ambulances,
• Set up dialysis units,
• Set up of 24×7 emergency helpline,
• Set up of Jan Aushadi Kendras,
• Set up Yoga centres.

Additionally, 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.

Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Grouping

The Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) is an alliance comprising India and 14 nations from the Pacific Islands, established to facilitate cooperation and collaboration between them.

• Background: The Forum for India–Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) was launched during Hon’ble Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi’s visit to Fiji in November 2014.
• Member Countries: FIPIC Summit 2023 includes 14 of the island countries – Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
• Key Objective: The primary purpose of FIPIC is to enhance cooperation and collaboration in various areas of mutual interest among India and the Pacific Island nations. This includes areas such as trade, investment, sustainable development, climate change, cultural exchanges, capacity-building, and people-to-people ties.
• Economic Potential of FIPIC for India: At this moment, total annual trade of about $300 million between the Indian and Pacific Island countries, whereas exports are around $200 million and imports are around $100 million.

Significance of FIPIC Countries

Though these countries are relatively small in land area and distant from India, many have large exclusive economic zones (EEZs), and offer promising possibilities for fruitful cooperation.

• India’s focus has largely been on the Indian Ocean where it has sought to play a major role and protect its strategic and commercial interests.
• The FIPIC initiative marks a serious effort to expand India’s engagement in the Pacific region.

Previous FIPIC Summits

The inaugural meeting of all the heads of state/head of government from the aforementioned countries took place in Suva, Fiji, in November 2014. It was during this gathering that the concept of holding an annual summit was formulated.

• 1^st FIPIC Summit 2014: In line with the Act East Policy, India initiated the establishment of the Forum for FIPIC, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi convening its inaugural gathering in Fiji in 2014. This significant event witnessed the active participation of all 14 countries involved in the forum.
• 2nd FIPIC Summit 2015: In 2015, the second meeting of the forum took place in Jaipur, with the active participation of all 14 countries. During this gathering, several initiatives were announced with the aim of fostering development and improving the well-being of the people in the participating nations.

(ITEC) Program, PM Modi Interacted with the Alumni of ITEC Courses