Premier welcomes the support in the FIPIC III summit and U.S.-Pacific Islands Leaders Forum in PNG

Premier Hon. Dalton Tagelagi departed the island last week to attend the third summit of the Forum for India-PAcific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) and the United States (U.S.) Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Dialogue in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG).

India’s Prime Minister Hon. Shri Narendra Modi and his Papua New Guinea counterpart Prime Minister James Marape successfully hosted the third FIPIC summit which took place on Monday 22 May this week.

In the FIPIC III meeting, PM Modi announced the Republic of India’s commitment in furthering its relationship with the 14 Pacific Island nations through a 12-step action plan.

The 12-step action plan includes:

A 100-bed regional super specialty hospital in Fiji.
Set up regional IT and Cyber Security Training Hub in Papua New Guinea.
Sagar Amrut Scholarships – 1000 scholarships in the next five years.
Jaipur Foot Camp in Papua New Guinea in 2023. Thereafter, two camps annually in other PICs
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 (generic medicine centers).
Set up Yoga centres.

In a government press statement, Premier Tagelagi expressed Niue’s support in India’s commitment with its Pacific counterparts.

“We welcome the support, of the vision that we have that will help the Blue Pacific Continent and its people. India is a genuine partner who shares our vision and protects what keeps us alive; oceans and the environment.”

The third FIPIC summit served as a significant platform for fostering cooperation in various areas such as trade, investment, climate change, and sustainable development.

The FIPIC was established in 2014 which was aimed at promoting collaboration between India and 14 Pacific Islands nations including Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Dialogue

Although the U.S. President Joe Biden was unable to attend the forum, the U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken attended the meeting in PNG to demonstrate the renewed U.S. commitment to the Pacific Island.

In a recent government press release, Premier Tagelagi welcomes the United States renewed engagement with Niue and the Pacific.

“The discussions were fruitful and beneficial in continuing our united Pacific efforts to build systems of sustainable development throughout the region and in support of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.”

“We look forward to a genuine partnership and deepening our relationship based on mutual respect and shared interests,” says Premier Tagelagi.