India joins Pacific Islands Forum Strategic Partner Stream, says Jaishankar

Newyork,UPDATED: Sep 24, 2026 01:50 IST

India has been placed on the "Strategic Partner Stream" in the Pacific Islands Forum, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, calling it a "positive development" that will help deepen Delhi's cooperation with the region. He made the remarks while co-chairing the India-FIPIC Foreign Ministers' meeting on Wednesday at the Permanent Mission of India to the UN on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly.

Jaishankar said the meeting reviewed progress since the 3rd FIPIC Summit in 2023, including development partnership under the forum's framework and the India-UN Development Partnership Fund. He said projects undertaken under both frameworks reflected India's focus on livelihoods, capacity building and sustainable development, while also highlighting work in healthcare, renewables, connectivity, technology and capacity building.

At the meeting, Jaishankar said he was glad to receive a letter from Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa informing him that "India has been placed on the Strategic Partner Stream in the PIF". He added, "This is a positive development, and I'm sure that it would contribute to the further deepening of our cooperation." Founded in 1971, the Pacific Islands Forum has 18 members: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Naoero, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

Jaishankar said India had made progress on several initiatives in the region. He noted movement on the 100-bedded super-speciality hospital in Fiji and said India had received requests from 12 member states for 20 units of sea ambulances. He expressed confidence that "by March 2027, we will be in a position to deliver that". Planning is also under way to host an artificial limb fitment camp in Fiji next month for about 650 patients. India has also completed the solarisation of 2,800 households across 14 Pacific Island countries and trained 70 women solar engineers.

He said, "I do want to underline that India fully respects and supports the 2050 strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent," referring to the region's long-term blueprint. In a post on X, Jaishankar said India's approach to the Pacific had consistently been "demand-driven, development-oriented and people-centric" and added that "India's development projects in Pacific Island countries reflect our shared focus on strengthening livelihoods, building capacity & promoting sustainable development". He also said significant progress had been made on the Action Plan announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Recognising that El Nio poses serious challenges for Pacific Island countries, Jaishankar said India stands ready to help ease its adverse effects. He also highlighted cooperation in space and sustainable coastal and ocean research, and encouraged members to join the Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, which already have several projects under way. Overall, the meeting focused on reviewing recent progress and expanding India's development partnership with the Pacific region.

With PTI Inputs

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