Mukherjee says economic linkages with Pacific Island countries key factor in

The second FIPIC summit in New Delhi and Jaipur may see India and the Pacific Island nations seeking to step up space cooperation.

During the first FIPIC summit, India had announced an increase in its annual grant-in-aid to the Pacific islands countries from $125,000 to $200,000 to cater to the key developmental priorities of the region.

“We have been sharing r experience and expertise as well as intellectual, financial and technical resources with Pacific countries”.

“We would be happy to work with you in harnessing your mineral, marine and hydrocarbon resources”.

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee said during a meeting with heads of state of several South Pacific island nations here that though India is separated from the Pacific island countries by oceans and continents, it is proud to have a long tradition of close friendship with them.

“India also urges the Pacific island countries to forge a global partnership to harness technology, innovation and finance to put affordable, clean and renewable energy within the reach of our countries, Swaraj said”.

The summit will take place on August 21 here and will be followed by a banquet hosted by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Am sure it will strengthen India’s bond with the Pacific island nations”.

She thanked the Pacific family for their support for India’s quest to become a permanent member in an expanded UN Security Council.

The island nations participating in the FIPIC summit include Fiji, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Tonga. In the evening, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) will organise a presentation on the technological advances made by India in the economic sectors of interest to the Island countries, and possibilities of further expanding bilateral trade and investment with them in selected areas.