President calls for strengthening bilateral cooperation at FIPIC summit

President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday reiterated on strengthening bilateral cooperation with the small island developing countries for securing inclusive and sustainable growth at second Summit of the Forum for India Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

"We are committed to further strengthen this relationship and bilateral cooperation and want to partner with the Small Island Developing countries in their quest for securing inclusive growth and sustained economic development," said President Mukherjee.

The President expressed his pleasure on an increase in the number of bilateral cooperation programs in the areas of human resource development and capacity building, health, social sector, renewable energy, saying "This will contribute meaningfully to your governments' efforts in achieving developmental goals."

He also pointed out that the bilateral cooperation has not reached its potential, saying "his desire to share technology and expertise with friendly countries to help governments in attaining the objective of sustainable development".

"India has, over the years, made considerable technological advances in the field of IT, health, solar energy, disaster mitigation and management, agriculture particularly coconut and coir, oil and natural gas exploration," he said addressing the Ceremonial reception for FIPIC Summit.

"With the annual grant-in-aid provided by India to all Pacific Island countries, which has been increased from US$ 125,000 to US$ 200,000 since last year, a number of key socio-economic development projects in areas of solar energy, disaster mitigation, infrastructure, rural economy, social sector have been undertaken," he added.

It's the second Summit of the FIPIC being organized in less than a year, the first Summit, which was held in Fiji on 19 November 2014.