In Palau, MoS Margherita shares India’s vision for free and prosperous Indo-Pacific

Koror (Palau), Sept 1 (IANS) Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, on Tuesday met Ricky F Cantero, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Micronesia, on the sidelines of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Koror, Palau.

According to Marghertia, they discussed India’s engagement with Micronesia under bilateral and the Forum for India–Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) framework.

“Pleased to meet H.E. Ricky F. Cantero, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Federated States of Micronesia, on the sidelines of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Koror, Palau. Discussed India’s engagement with FSM under the bilateral and FIPIC framework and ways to further strengthen our partnership and cooperation,” MoS Marghertia stated on X.

Earlier, the MoS handed over 20 customised, Made-in-India motorcycles for use by the Police to Jennifer S. Olegeriil, Minister of Justice of Palau, in Koror.

“A pleasure to hand over 20 customised, Made-in-India motorcycles for use by the Police to H.E. Jennifer S. Olegeriil, Minister of Justice of Palau, in Koror. This is a small but meaningful expression of India’s friendship and development partnership with Palau, and our support for Palau as it hosts the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM),” MoS Margherita stated on X.

He also delivered India’s statement at the Dialogue Partner Session of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Koror on Tuesday.

“Delivered India’s statement at the Dialogue Partner Session of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Koror, Palau. Shared India’s vision for a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific, and highlighted our growing engagement and development partnership with the Pacific Island Countries,” Margherita stated on X.

Margherita said that the bilateral engagements with Pacific countries have expanded under India’s Act East Policy, including the FIPIC and its association with the Pacific Islands Forum.

“India attaches the highest importance to its partnership with the Blue Pacific Continent. Guided by our Act East Policy, this partnership has acquired greater depth through our bilateral engagements, the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation, or FIPIC, and our engagement with the Pacific Islands Forum,” the MoS stated.

“We see the Pacific not as a distant region, but as an integral part of our shared Indo-Pacific. As noted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India recognises Pacific Island Countries as large ocean states,” he added.

Stressing that the Indian philosophy has always viewed the world as one family, Margherita said this spirit of togetherness and shared purpose is reflected in the Summit’s theme — ‘B.E.L.A.U – Building Economies: Life. Action. Unity’.

–IANS

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