In what is being read as an oblique reference to China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday cited the old maxim “A friend in need is a friend indeed” and told leaders of the 14 Pacific Island Countries (PICs) that those that they had considered trustworthy were "not standing by our sides in times of need”. Addressing leaders of the PICs at a summit in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Modi said India stood by them in the challenging time and conveyed that they can consider New Delhi as a "reliable" development partner, as it respects their priorities. India's approach for cooperation is based on human values, he stressed. Modi's comments came amid China's aggressive behaviour in the region and its efforts to expand influence in the Pacific Ocean region. “Those whom we considered trustworthy, it turned out they were not standing by our side in times of need. During these challenging times, an old saying has proven true: 'A Friend in need is a friend indeed',” Modi said while talking about the adverse impact of Covid-19 pandemic and other global challenges. “I am glad that India stood with its Pacific island friends during this challenging time. Whether it was vaccines or essential medicines, wheat or sugar, India, in line with its capabilities, has been assisting all partner countries," he said. Sharing my remarks at the FIPIC Summit. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 22, 2023 The Prime minister, who arrived on Sunday as part of the second leg of his three-nation tour, also underlined the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific for the PICs and said India respects sovereignty and integrity of all countries. In his remarks at the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation FIPIC) summit, Modi assured the island-nations that India is ready to share its capabilities and experiences with them "without any hesitation". “We are with you in every way,” he said. Assuring leaders of these nations that India “respects your priorities”, Modi said, “It feels proud to be your development partner. Whether it's humanitarian assistance or your development, you can count India as a reliable partner. Our perspective is based on human values.” He also announced a series of new development initiatives by India in areas of healthcare and cyberspace, including establishing a super-specialty cardiology hospital in Fiji, setting up dialysis units and sea ambulances in all 14 PICs. He announced introducing Jan Aushadhi centres in the island-nations to ensure medicines at affordable prices, besides a project for development of the small- and medium-scale enterprise sector in each of these countries. To address the water scarcity issue, Modi pledged to provide desalination units. He said the "voice of the Global South" should resonate strongly in the UN Security Council, and for that “reform of the international institutions should be our shared priority”. Recalling his meetings in the just-concluded G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, he said, “I had discussions with Australia, the US and Japan as part of the Quad. This dialogue has a special focus on the Indo-Pacific region. In the Quad meeting, we have taken a decision to establish the Radio Access Network (RAN) in Palau (one of the island-nations),” he said. “In a plurilateral format, we will enhance partnership with Pacific island-countries.” The summit was co-chaired by Modi along with his counterpart from Papua New Guinea, James Marape.
