Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the summit, Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC). The summit was held at Jaipur's Rambagh Hotel and took place in India for the first time.
President Pranab Mukherjee had welcomed all the visiting dignitaries at Rastrapati Bhavan on August 20, following which leaders visited Agra, on their way to Jaipur, for a tour of famous Taj Mahal.
PM Modi addressing the Pacific nations representatives said that he hoped that they all enjoyed their trip to the historic marvel. "If you're visiting India for first time, I am sure you are struck by culture, diversity and sea of people," he added.
He said referring to the Pacific nations, that Indians too are wonderstruck at the thought of a nations living as a small community in harmony with nature & beautiful island. He gave a grand welcome to the representatives to Jaipur, extolling the charm and historical importance of the pink city. "The Pink city is known for its famous palaces. It’s a city of heroism and valour, city of art and heritage and above all strong tradition of hospitality," he said.
Noting that it was his first regional summit in India, Modi said, "India and Pacific island countries are setting an example of partnership for this century which is a partnership forged by shared aspirations and challenges."
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He assured that India will continue its support to the nations in international forums and said that it will also support their realisation of Pacific Regionalism.
"I see huge potential for cooperation in ocean economy," PM Modi said about India's trade interests with the country.
He ended the speech talking about how Indian migrants in Pacific Nations are a special link between the countries.
As many as 14 countries are being represented by their head of states at this summit. FIPIC includes the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
The FIPIK summit will focus mostly on blue economy (ocean-based economy), oil and natural gas, mining, IT, health care, fishing and marine research etc.
With agency inputs
