Prime Minister Modi described India as a reliable partner of Pacific island countries
[ad_1]
In a summit, Modi told top leaders of 14 Pacific island countries that in difficult times only a friend is useful. He assured that India is ready to share its capabilities with the region “without any hesitation” and “we are with you in every way”.
In a bid to make India’s presence more effective in the Indo-Pacific region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday projected New Delhi as a “reliable” partner of the Pacific island nations. In an apparent reference to China, he said those who were supposed to be confidants “did not stand” with the region in its time of need. In a summit, Modi told top leaders of 14 Pacific island countries that in difficult times only a friend is useful. He assured that India is ready to share its capabilities with the region “without any hesitation” and “we are with you in every way”.
At the Forum for Indo-Pacific Island Cooperation (FIPIC) summit, Modi also unveiled a 12-point development program for the region in the areas of healthcare, cyberspace, clean energy, water and small and medium enterprises. Referring to the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global developments, Modi said India stood by the Pacific island nations in challenging times and told them that they can count on New Delhi as it respects their priorities. And its approach to cooperation is based on human values.
Without naming any country in the conference, he said, “Those whom we considered as our confidants, it was found that they did not stand by us in times of need. In these difficult times, the old saying proved true: A true friend is the one who comes in handy in difficult times. Modi said, “I am happy that India stood shoulder to shoulder with our Pacific island nations even in these difficult times. Then whether it was vaccines made in India or essential medicines or wheat or sugar, India continued to help its fellow countries according to its capabilities.
The Prime Minister arrived here on Sunday on the second leg of his three-nation tour. He also underlined the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific for Pacific island countries and said that India respects the sovereignty and integrity of all countries. He said, “India respects your priorities. We are proud to be your development partner– whether it is humanitarian aid or your development, you can look to India as a reliable partner. Our approach is based on human values.”
The Prime Minister’s comments at the summit held in the capital of Papua New Guinea come at a time when China is adopting an aggressive approach in the region and is trying to increase its influence on the Pacific island countries. Talking about India’s preference for island nations, Modi said, “For me you are not a small island nation, but a big ocean country.” This ocean connects India to all of you. In Indian ideology, the whole world is seen as one family.
He also announced a series of new development initiatives by India in healthcare and cyberspace, including setting up of a super-speciality cardiology hospital in Fiji, setting up of dialysis units in all 14 Pacific island countries as well as marine ambulances for them. Modi announced the opening of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in the island nations so that medicines are available at affordable prices. In addition, he also announced a project for the development of the small and medium enterprise sector in each Pacific island country.
Prime Minister Modi pledged to provide desalination units to every Pacific island country to solve the problem of water scarcity. He said that the world has faced difficult times of Covid-19 and many other challenges and most of their impact has been borne by the countries of the ‘Global South’. He said, “Climate change, natural disaster, hunger, poverty and various health related challenges already exist. Now new problems are arising. Constraints are being created for the supply chain of food, fuel, fertilizers and medicines.
The Prime Minister also reaffirmed India’s strong support for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. “Like you, we too believe in multilateralism, support a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific and respect the sovereignty and integrity of all countries,” Modi said. The voice of the ‘Global South’ should also be heard strongly in the United Nations Security Council. For this reform of international institutions should be our common priority, the Prime Minister said.
He said, “I held talks with Australia, America and Japan in Hiroshima under the Quad (quadrilateral security dialogue). In this dialogue, special attention was paid to the Indo-Pacific region. We decided to set up a ‘Radio Access Network’ (RAN) in Palau during the Quad meeting. “We will expand partnership with Pacific island countries in the framework of multilateralism,” Modi said. India is ready to increase cooperation with Pacific Island countries. Prime Minister Modi said, “We are ready to share our capabilities and experiences with you without any hesitation, be it digital technology or space technology, health security or food security, climate change or environmental security. We are with you in every way.
He also outlined India’s priorities under his chairmanship of the G-20. “The theme of our chairmanship of the G-20 this year, ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, is also based on this ideology,” Modi said. Modi said, “We organized the ‘Voice of the Global South Summit’ in January this year, in which your representatives participated and put forth their views.” I congratulate. India considers it its duty to inform the world about the concerns, expectations and aspirations of the ‘Global South’ through the G-20.
Prime Minister Modi co-chaired the summit with his Papua New Guinean counterpart James Marape. Modi tweeted, “My visit to Papua New Guinea has been historic. I will greatly cherish the affection I have received from the people of this wonderful nation. I also had the opportunity to interact with respected leaders of the Forum for Indo-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) and discuss ways to deepen relations with their countries. India’s engagement with 14 Pacific Island Countries (PICs) is part of its ‘Act East’ policy. Prime Minister Modi hosted the first FIPIC summit in Suva on 19 November 2014 during his visit to Fiji. The second summit of FIPIC was held in Jaipur on 21 August 2015, in which all the 14 PICs participated.
Disclaimer:IndiaTheNews has not edited this news. This news has been published from PTI-language feed.
[ad_2]
Source link
