India-Pacific Islands cooperation (FIPIC)

Forum for India-Pacific Islands cooperation (FIPIC) is a multinational grouping developed in 2014 for cooperation between India and 14 Pacific Islands nations- which include Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. <not necessary to mug up all countries>

All Head of state/head of government of the above countries met in Suva, Fiji in November 2014 for the first time where the annual summit was conceptualised.

Significance of the FIPIC for India :

1) It will help India to harness resources if pacific islands for agricultural, fishery, oil and natural gas, mining, information technology, and will help in the growth of healthcare centres.

2) It would help to cater to the needs of the Indian diaspora living in the Pacific islands.

3) It will help to address the issues of climate change and use of renewable energy like solar energy, weather forecasting, use of science and technology

4) The pacific islands can also support India to gain the permanent seat in the united nation security council.

5) It will boost trade and commerce.

6) It is most important relationship if India under the Act East Policy and will help to fulfill India growing demand of marine resources.

Although FIPIC is geopolitically significant for India but there are some obstacles to this----

Firstly pacific islands are also strategically important for China and with the help of Maritime Silk road China would also want to keep strong ties with these resource rich islands which can put constraints and affect the ties of these islands with India.

Secondly the Pacific islands may look forward to USA for a strategic partnership to boost their economies as well as geopolitical interests which can act as a hurdle for India's interest in these islands.

Nevertheless, India will have an upper hand in these islands which will protect India's interest by fostering support and cooperation which will be fruitful in the long run of India's foreign policy.