India scales up ties with Pacific islands
NEW DELHI: India on Monday unveiled an action plan encompassing health, renewable energy and cybersecurity to bolster cooperation with Pacific Island states and hold off China’s efforts to increase its influence in the region, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi telling regional leaders that New Delhi will stand by them as a friend.
The action plan was announced by Modi while addressing the third summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation at Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea. Modi was the first Indian premier to travel to Papua New Guinea, where he participated in the meeting with leaders of 14 Pacific Island states.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, Modi referred to challenges facing the small island countries, such as climate change, health-related issues and barriers to the supply of food, fuel, fertilisers and pharmaceuticals, and said, “Those whom we considered trustworthy, it turned out that they were not standing by our side in times of need.”
Speaking in Hindi, he added:
“During these challenging times, an old saying has proven true: ‘A friend in need is a friend indeed.’ I am glad India stood with its Pacific Island friends during this challenging time.” He also referred to aid provided by India to its partners, including vaccines, medicines, wheat and sugar.
Though he didn’t name any country, this was an apparent reference to China, which triggered alarm across the region last year by seeking to ramp up security cooperation with Pacific Island states. In April 2022, China signed a security pact with Solomon Islands that Western officials said paved the way for a Chinese military presence. Solomon Islands was among the countries present at Monday’s summit.
Modi’s visit is important because it is one prong of a multifaceted plan to counter Beijing, which has sought to increase its influence over this string of small but strategically important islands that are key to keeping the Indo-Pacific region free and open. New Delhi is hoping to project a more inclusive model of partnership, a sharp contrast from China’s policy of playing hardball with infra and developmental loans.