FIPIC, or the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation, was established by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2014. Modi announced the formation of FIPIC during his visit to Fiji, right after the island nation re-established itself as a democracy after a long span of eight years. The main objective of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation was to establish a growing and healthy relationship between India and the island nations in the Pacific Ocean. 

The leaders from these island nations met Modi right after the announcement of the Forum for India Pacific Islands Cooperation. This was followed by the first FIPIC Summit, held in Suva, Fiji. Only two summits have been conducted – in 2014 and 2015.

What is the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation and which countries are a part of it? 

It was Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who proposed the idea of the Forum for India-Pacific cooperation (FIPIC) in 2014. The forum was established to create healthy and friendly relations with the Pacific island nations, which would be mutually beneficial. 

The 14 Pacific island countries that agreed to be a part of FIPIC were The Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. 

14 nations in total stepped up relations with India through the forum for India Pacific Islands Cooperation and FIPIC Summit. They were: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and the Solomon Islands. 

The Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) was an integral way for India to engage with the region. Although these Pacific nations are small and situated far from India, they’re still strategically important. Many of these countries have exclusive economic zones that can be fruitful for Indian business and trade interests.

The forum also gave these countries to take India’s help in development activities like fighting climate change, better connectivity and access to resources. 

Objectives of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation

The various objectives that fall under the agreement between India and the Pacific Islands are: 

• Organise and exchange business delegations between India and the rest of the Pacific island nations in the FIPIC forum. Ensure these delegations have all the required information and that their interests are mutually beneficial. 
• FIPIC also helps organise meetings between business people from India and the Pacific island nations interested in opportunities in the region. 
• FIPIC provides information and facilitation required for all trade and investment-related activities between India and the 14 Pacific island nations.
• FIPIC also conducts various trade fairs and events between India and the Pacific island nations.
• Provide online and offline matchmaking services between India and the Pacific island nations.

FIPIC Summits so far

The first summit of the Forum for India Pacific Islands Cooperation was conducted in 2014. The first FIPIC summit took place in Suva, Fiji. 

The important proposals made during the first FIPIC summit were: 

• The forum will help strengthen the digital connectivity between India and the Pacific island countries.
• There was also a proposal to extend visa-on-arrival at Indian airports for citizens of these 14 countries. 
• A special fund of $1 million was set up to fight climate change and implement clean energy measures.
• There were also proposals for space cooperation with India, diplomat training and improving the quality of life on these islands.

The second FIPIC Summit was conducted in 2015 in India. The leaders of all the 14 Pacific nations, along with PM Modi, met at Jaipur on August 21 and 22, 2015. 

The impact of the second FIPIC Summit was:

• India assured the 14 Pacific island nations that their concerns about climate change and its effect on their countries would be raised at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21) in Paris. 
• The 14 countries promised to support India’s bid to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council as a result.
• The 14 countries were given slots in the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation training programme to develop the skills of their citizens. India trained 43 women from these countries to be solar engineers and announced that 70 more would be trained.
• India would set up IT centres to improve connectivity and telecommunication in the 14 island nations.
• India also offered to help the countries with their coastal surveillance with the help of the Indian Navy.
• India also offered scholarships for education in Indian colleges for students from 14 countries.
• It also aims to develop a space research centre in Fiji Islands. This will help develop an independent tracking system for Indian satellites. 

Indian Interests and the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation 

The Pacific Ocean is the world’s largest water body, and the region has been of strategic importance to many world powers, including the USA, Japan, China, Russia etc. While India has been largely focusing on the Indian Ocean, China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean has seen India seeking to expand its sphere of influence and counter their neighbours. 

The Pacific island countries are also rich in marine resources and offer plenty of trade and business opportunities. The Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation came about due to India’s desire to engage more with a strategic region and counter the growing threat of China. 

Conclusion 

Ever since the FIPIC was launched in 2014, India has assisted the 14 countries in major projects and vowed to support their concerns at the United Nations. Ensuring an engaging and healthy relationship with the 14 Pacific island nations is strategically and commercially important for India. And that has seen the country step up trade and investment ties with these countries, in addition to helping them improve infrastructure and offer skill development and educational opportunities to their citizens. There have been two FIPIC summits so far – in 2014 and 2015.