But things began to change in 2012 when Hillary Clinton, who was then the US secretary of state, went to a summit of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), which includes Australia and New Zealand as members. As a result of China’s increased loan diplomacy and the ensuing competition, both Beijing and Washington are actively looking to sign defence agreements with these island governments.
Source: Money Control
New Delhi has always been eager to deepen its diplomatic connections with nations in this region since Fiji has a sizable population of Indian descent. In 2002, it joined the PIF conversation, and in 2006, it unveiled a number of initiatives.
India created the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) in 2014 in response to the beginning of the geopolitical conflict. India’s outreach was highlighted by PM Narendra Modi’s trip to Papua New Guinea last week for the third FIPIC conference.
The South Block’s engagement plan for island states in the Caribbean and those close to the Mozambique Channel off the coast of Africa includes this strategy of persistent diplomacy.
Even as protests greeted the defence agreement signed by Antony Blinken, a spokesman for US President Biden, in Papua New Guinea, PM Modi’s 12-point action plan demonstrated that India was following a moderate and undemanding route. India is in an excellent position to pursue its objectives in the South Pacific since the island countries are leery of becoming involved in the US-China power competition.
What do you think about this? Comment below
