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PM Shri Narendra Modi visit to Fiji: Key Announcements

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during his visit to Fiji on 19^th November 2014  hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister of FijiMr. Frank Bainimarama and  announced a number of proposals/measures to strengthen the partnership between the two countries:

1.                   Setting up of a Special Adaptation Fund of US$1 million: Since climate change is a major issue of concern for Pacific Island countries, PM Modi has shown an interest to set up Special Adaptation Fund of US$1 million for providing technical assistance and training for capacity building to  Pacific Island Partners.

2.                   Pan Pacific Islands Project: Given the distance between the islands and poor connectivity, e-networks are considered to be an effective means for coordination. Under this purview, PM Modi has  proposed to develop Pan Pacific Islands Project for telemedicine and tele-education. Since India is working on a solar energy project with the Pacific Islands at the community level, regional hubs will be developed in the Pacific Islands.

3.                   Indian Visa on arrival for all the fourteen Pacific Island Countries: PM Modi has shown interest to provide Visa-on-Arrival for nationals of all Pacific Island countries, Cook Islands, Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu, Republic of Nauru, Republic of Kiribati, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Niue, Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Marshall Islands, Fiji and Papua New Guinea. Further, PM Modi expressed confidence that this will facilitate exchanges and promote better understanding between the peoples of India and Pacific Island nations .

4.                   Increase in Grant-in-Aid to Pacific Island Countries: Currently, India is providing Grant in Aid of US$125000 annually to each Pacific Island Country for community projects selected by the Pacific Island nations. PM Modi has announced to furtherincrease in this aid to US$200,000 which would be rolled over annually.

5.                   Establish Trade Office in India: In order to enhance trade between India and Pacific Island countries, PM Modi has announced to :

ü      Set-up a Trade Office at an existing diplomatic representation in New Delhi.

ü      Provide complimentary space to Pacific Island countries during exhibitions organised by ITPO to showcase your products.

ü      To find trade complementarities.

ü      Undertake a joint research in traditional medicine to explore options of developing healthcare facilities for the benefit of people in the region.

6.                   Deputation of ITEC experts: PM Modi proposed to depute technical experts to Pacific Island countries in the fields of agriculture, healthcare and IT.

7.                   Training to Diplomats from Pacific Island Countries: PM Modi  proposed  to organize training programmes to the Diplomats of Pacific Island countries by the Foreign Service Training Institutes .This would be held in both, India and PacificIsland countries.

8.                   Distinguished Visitors Programme: PM Modi proposed to commence a Distinguished Visitors Programme. Under this,seminars will be organized and friends will be invited from the region to help to explore new ideas for strengthening our mutually beneficially economic cooperation.

9.                   Space Cooperation: PM Modi proposed to cooperate in area of sharing data that could be used for monitoring climate change, disaster risk reduction and management, resource management amongst pacific island countries.

10.               Forum of India-Pacific Island Cooperation: Lastly, it was proposed that a Forum for India – Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) be held on a regular basis and next meeting can be held in 2015 in one of the coastal location in India.