India’s new High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Shri Inbasekar Sunaramuthi this week has outlined opportunities that are available for further cooperation by the two countries.
His Excellency Sunaramuthi presented his credentials to the Acting Governor General, Patterson Oti at Government House and made a courtesy call on Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on Monday that concluded with fruitful initial discussions on deepening relations between the countries.
Areas that are available for deeper cooperation included, education in various fields, ICT development, natural resources, renewable energy, affordable infrastructure and climate change.
On education, High Commissioner Sunaramuthi said India as a reliable development partner is prepared to avail scholarships to eligible Solomon Islanders under its flagship Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme which was established in 1964.
“This is our enduring commitment to capacity building and sharing of knowledge through ITEC Scholarships to eligible Solomon Islands citizens to study at India’s reputed educational institutions,” he said.
On Information Technology, the Indian envoy said India is prepared to cooperate in establishing a Center of Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT) which has the potential to further develop into an IT hub that will transform Solomon Islands.
On renewable energy, India is looking forward to cooperate in cost-effective Indian technology in harnessing renewable energy in Solomon Islands by arranging Indian companies to provide quality infrastructure at affordable cost. India also looks forward to Solomon Islands joining the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in the near future.
The Indian envoy also highlighted that there are opportunities for cooperation in pharma, healthcare, education, agriculture and others under the guiding principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” i.e., ‘World is one family’.
On Health care, India supports Solomon Islands and the global society in the fight against Covid-19. Towards this, India supplied 200 million Covid-19 vaccines to 98 countries bilaterally and under the Covax facility.
On the international arena, India and Solomon Islands have convergence views on multilateral and regional issues, which India is grateful for Solomon Islands continued support to its candidature in various international institutions.
“Solomon Islands can count on India as a cost-effective Development Partner, having endured colonialism which has steeled our resolve to enable this brother country to take its rightful place among the community of nations,” High Commissioner Sunaramuthi said.
On the pressing issue of climate change, India conveyed its continued commitment to support Solomon Islands in its quest for sustainable development while addressing the ever-present challenge of climate change.
High Commissioner also announced that India is prepared to facilitate the opening of the Solomon Islands High Commission in Delhi, which will bring our people-to-people’s ties closer.
-GCU Press