Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC)

Why in news?

The Prime Minister attended the 3^rd summit of Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) was held in Papu New Guinea.

What is forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC)?

• Multinational grouping - Forum for India-Pacific Islands cooperation (FIPIC) is a multinational grouping developed in 2014 for cooperation between India and 14 Pacific Islands.
• 14 Pacific Islands nations - Include Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
• Fiji - All Head of state/head of government of the above countries met in Suva, Fiji in November 2014 for the first time where the annual summit was conceptualized.
• Exclusive economic zones (EEZs) - Since many have large exclusive economic zones (EEZs) it offers promising possibilities for fruitful cooperation with India.
• Strategic and commercial interests in Indian Ocean - India's focus has largely been on the Indian Ocean where it has sought to play a major role and protect its strategic and commercial interests.
• Business Accelerator for Forum for India - Pacific Islands cooperation (FIPIC) - An initiative to strengthen the India ties with pacific nation countries.
• Free and open Indo-Pacific - PM Modi underlines importance of free and open Indo-Pacific at FIPIC summit in Papua New Guinea.

What is Oceania?

• Oceania is a region made up of thousands of islands throughout the Central and South Pacific Ocean.
• It includes Australia, the smallest continent in terms of total land area.
• Oceania has traditionally been divided into four parts which are Australasia (Australia and New Zealand), Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
• The marine environment is an important and influential physical region in Australia and Oceania.

What is Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)?

• Freedom of navigation - It is a vision for the region that is based on the principles of freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and respect for sovereignty.
• China’s rise - The FOIP is seen by many as a way to counter China's growing assertiveness in the region.
• Supporting countries - The FOIP is supported by a number of countries, including the United States, Japan, Australia and India.
• Maintaining peace and stability - The supporting countries believe that the FOIP will help to promote economic growth, prosperity, maintain peace and stability in the region.
• China's opposition - China has been critical of the FOIP, arguing that it is a thinly veiled attempt to contain China's rise.

What are the significance of India-Papu New Guinea relations?

• Modi is the first Indian prime minister to visit the country.
• Can strengthen India stands in the forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation.
• Can be vital to counter the china’s growing presence in the region.
• Lauch of Tamil classic ‘Thirukkural’ to the Tok Pisin language of Papua New Guinea give impetus to cultural exchange relationship.

References

1. The Hindu│ FOIP
2. The Indian Express│ Forum For India-Pacific Islands Cooperation
3. Britannica│ About Oceania