External Affairs Minister Mr. S. Jaishankar underscored the importance of solidarity and cooperation as he signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to fund four community development projects in the Marshall Islands. He began his speech with the greeting “Namaskar from Bharat,” expressing India’s dedication to enhancing infrastructure and community welfare in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Additionally, he praised the Marshall Islands for successfully hosting the 10th Micronesian Games and for their participation in the 10th International Day of Yoga celebrations, highlighting the strong bilateral relations between India and the Marshall Islands under the Forum of India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC).
Mr. Jaishankar reflected on the long-standing partnership between India and the Marshall Islands, noting India’s ongoing efforts to fulfill commitments made during the third FIPIC summit. These commitments include addressing issues such as climate change, natural disasters, poverty alleviation, and healthcare. He emphasized the significance of the MoU and its role in promoting community development through initiatives like desalination units and dialysis machines. Furthermore, he outlined India’s priorities in collaborating with Pacific Island nations, which include healthcare, infrastructure, renewable energy, and capacity building. He reaffirmed India’s dedication to strengthening ties with its Indo-Pacific partners, stating, “India is committed to further enhancing our engagement with the Indo-Pacific region.”
