India’s Commitment to Pacific Islands: Minister Pabitra Margherita Announces New Projects
Nuku’alofa, Tonga, August 29: Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, reaffirmed India’s commitment to working with Pacific nations for sustainable development. Speaking at the Pacific Islands Forum, Margherita announced that India will undertake one Quick Impact Project (QIP) worth USD 50,000 in each of the 14 Pacific Island Countries.
Margherita highlighted India’s Act East Policy and the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘World is one Family’. He mentioned India’s bilateral development partnership, which includes grant-in-aid projects worth about USD 3 million annually, and recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 12-Point Action Plan announced during the 3rd FIPIC Summit in Papua New Guinea last year.
The Action Plan includes setting up a 100-bedded regional Super-specialty Hospital in Suva, Fiji, a Regional IT and Cyber Security Training Hub in Papua New Guinea, 1000 Scholarships over the next five years, and the supply of Dialysis Units and Generic Medicine Pharmacy outlets.
Margherita also emphasized India’s efforts in climate change and global initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Green Grids Initiative. He noted that India has reduced its emission intensity by 33% between 2005 and 2019, achieving its 2030 target 11 years ahead of schedule.
He concluded by reaffirming India’s strong commitment to working closely with Pacific partner countries and the Pacific Islands Forum to build a stronger, more resilient, and prosperous Blue Pacific Continent.
The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) is the leading intergovernmental organization in the Pacific Region, consisting of 18 members, including Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand. India has been a Dialogue Partner of the Forum since 2002.
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Pacific Islands -: The Pacific Islands are a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean. They include countries like Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga.
Pabitra Margherita -: Pabitra Margherita is a Union Minister of State for External Affairs in India. He helps manage India’s relationships with other countries.
Quick Impact Project -: A Quick Impact Project is a small, fast project that aims to make a big difference quickly. In this case, each project is worth USD 50,000.
USD 50,000 -: USD 50,000 means 50,000 US dollars. It’s a way to measure money, like how we use rupees in India.
14 Pacific Island Countries -: There are 14 countries in the Pacific Islands that will each get a Quick Impact Project. These include places like Fiji and Samoa.
Act East Policy -: India’s Act East Policy is a plan to improve relationships with countries in East Asia and the Pacific region. It focuses on trade, culture, and security.
Climate initiatives -: Climate initiatives are actions taken to help protect the environment and fight climate change. This can include reducing pollution and using clean energy.
Prime Minister Modi -: Prime Minister Modi is the current Prime Minister of India. His full name is Narendra Modi.
12-Point Action Plan -: The 12-Point Action Plan is a set of 12 steps or actions proposed by Prime Minister Modi to help improve various aspects of life and governance.
Reducing emissions -: Reducing emissions means cutting down the amount of harmful gases released into the air. This helps fight climate change.
International Solar Alliance -: The International Solar Alliance is a group of countries working together to use more solar energy. Solar energy is power from the sun.