Context:
India provides humanitarian aid to Papua New Guinea following a devastating landslide, showcasing FIPIC partnership.
Over 2,000 people were killed in the landslide, according to media reports.
FIPIC:
- Launched during Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi’s visit to Fiji in 2014.
- A part of India’s Act East Policy
- Member countries – India and 14 island countries – Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
- These countries are relatively small in land area, but many have large exclusive economic zones (EEZs).
- India had offered some major assistance projects as a part of FIPIC. The projects offered include
- the setting up of a special USD one million fund for adapting to climate change and clean energy
- establishing a trade office in India
- Pan Pacific Islands e-network to improve digital connectivity
- extending visa on arrival at Indian airports for all the 14 Pacific Island countries
- cooperation in space technology applications for improving the quality of life of the islands
- training to diplomats from Pacific Island countries
- India has increased the annual “Grant-in-Aid” from USD 125,000 to 200,000 to each of the 14 Pacific Countries for community projects of their choice.
- Business Accelerator for Forum for India – Pacific Islands cooperation (FIPIC)
Papua New Guinea:
- The most populous Pacific Island country.
- the most linguistically diverse country in the world
- Location: comprises the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and its offshore islands in Melanesia
Source: The Hindu
Previous year question
Which one of the following is a part of the Congo Basin? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Cameroon
(b) Nigeria
(c) South Sudan
(d) Uganda
Answer: a
