• Far east for India comprises of island nations in pacific beyond japan
  • India should engage more closely with these nations if it seeks to become a global power

WHY SHOULD WE ENGAGE?

  • Any small increase in investments in these regions can yield rich dividends
  • Also India’s increased presence in pacific will help counterbalance China ‘s presence in indian ocean


HOW TO ENGAGE?

  • To start off, indian scholars should undertake study of region to ascertain the challenges faced by the pacific island nations
  • We have had historic ties with Fiji
  • Fiji hosts the pacific islands forum(PIF)
  • Pacific island forum is a group of 16 independent self governing nations in pacific
  • Some of them are
  • Fiji(now suspended):because of military rule
  • Papua new guinea
  • Kiribati
  • Nauru
  • Marshall islands
  • Samoa
  • India has its embassies at Fiji and papua new guinea


CHALLENGES FACED BY FAR EAST

  • Connectivity i.e. transport and communication
  • Climate change
  • Power supply
  • Maritime security
  • Human resource development

TRIVIA

  • Marshall island : US conducted atomic tests here between 1946-62 and it still faces after affects of the radio activity
  • Cooks islands: it is a self governing territory and functions in association with New zealand
  • New zealand per capita is 29000 $ while that of samoa is 2800 $

WAY AHEAD

  • Since the nations are disconnected from mainland, only source of energy is wind and solar
  • India can help in this by providing aid and help in developing the renewable energy sector in region
  • Most of the nations are in the process of development
  • India can lend its development experience to the region
  • Development of small industry, IT etc can help reduce the marginalisation of these island nations
  • India’s IT industries can help in development of the region