After the success of the pan-Africa project, India is keen to set up a pan-Pacific project which will set the platform for telemedicine and tele-education.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while visiting Fiji, said given the distance between the islands and poor connectivity, e-networks are effective means of coordination.

“In keeping with the success achieved in the pan-Africa Project, we propose to develop pan- Pacific Islands Project for telemedicine and tele-education.

“We are also working on a solar energy project with the Pacific Islands at the community level. The regional hubs will be developed in the Pacific Islands.”

The project will mean more doctors in the Pacific get their training from Indian doctors and more students get access to India education system through tele-communication and the internet.

India will also increase grant-in-aid to Pacific island countries.

Currently India provides USD 125 000 [FJ$ 239,738] annually to each Pacific island country for community projects selected by the respective countries. This has now been increased to USD200,000 [FJ$ 383,580] annually.

In order to promote trade between India and Pacific island nations, India is ready to support the setting up of a trade office at an existing diplomatic representation in New Delhi.

“We shall also provide complimentary space to Pacific island countries during exhibitions organised to showcase your products.

“We need to find complementarities in our trade. India could be an important source of low cost medicines.

“We can do joint research in traditional medicine. Explore options of developing healthcare facilities for the benefit of people in the region,” Mr Modi said.

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