External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar hosted the FIPIC Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New York. The meeting discussed health, technology, capacity building, and a people-centric agenda. Cooperation between India and Pacific Island countries was promoted.
New Delhi. India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar hosted the Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) in New York. This meeting was held on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Extensive discussions were held on health, technology, capacity building, and skill development, with an emphasis on a "people-centric" agenda.
After the meeting, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar stated that FIPIC is not merely a diplomatic platform, but it is also a part of India's Act East Policy and helps India establish a b presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Discussions at the FIPIC Meeting
The meeting primarily focused on topics such as health, technology, capacity building, and training. Jaishankar informed that the meeting also evaluated the progress of the 12-point action plan announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the FIPIC-III Summit.
The External Affairs Minister said, "India and the Pacific Island countries are development partners. Our agenda is people-centric, and we are focused on health, technology, capacity building, and training." Opportunities for bilateral cooperation and strengthening shared interests were also discussed at the meeting.
Earlier, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar held several bilateral meetings with his counterparts from around the world in New York. These meetings deliberated on various important issues, including regional developments, global conflicts, and bilateral relations.
About FIPIC
FIPIC stands for Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation. This platform was created to promote cooperation, development, and partnership between India and the island nations of the Pacific Ocean. Small island nations hold significant strategic and geographical importance. FIPIC provides India with new opportunities for political, economic, and social cooperation with these countries.
Through FIPIC, partnerships are promoted in sectors such as education, health, agriculture, energy, and technology. This platform helps build b diplomatic relations between India and the island nations.
Inception and Development of FIPIC
FIPIC was launched in 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Its first summit was held in Fiji. The platform includes 14 Pacific Island countries, such as – Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, and others.
The summit emphasized strengthening mutual cooperation between India and the island nations. This platform is part of India's foreign policy outreach and its Act East Policy.
Importance of Cooperation between India and Pacific Island Countries
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar stated that FIPIC promotes development partnership between India and the Pacific Island countries. This partnership is people-centric and aims to improve the living standards of the people. Through cooperation in health, education, and technology, India understands and fulfills the needs of these countries.
FIPIC strengthens India's diplomatic, economic, and social ties with the island nations. This platform provides India with an opportunity to play an active and influential role in the Asia-Pacific region.
