30 June 2022
The Solomon Islands and India have renewed and reaffirmed their commitment to enhance bilateral cooperation to new heights.
The statement was made following a meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Jeremiah Manele and his Indian counterpart, the Minister of External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar at the margins of the 2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali, Rwanda recently.
Minister Manele acknowledged the support provided by India to Solomon Islands over the years and sought India’s support to support the country’s development needs and on areas that India has technical expertise and knowledge.
These areas include training and scholarship, information and technology transfer, agriculture, renewable energy and medical support.
Meanwhile, Minister Dr S Jaishankar assured of India’s support for Solomon Islands and is looking forward for project proposals to consider based on the country’s national development needs and priorities.
He said India has its own challenges and limitations but as a developing country in the global south, India is committed to assist Solomon Islands and other developing countries.
Last week, India’s High Commissioner based in Port Moresby, PNG presented his credentials giving him the powers to represent India in Solomon Islands. This adds to the enhancing of bilateral relations between Solomon Islands and India.
Sources: GCU and Solomon Times Online.
Comment.
I am very pleased to learn that the Solomon Islands and India have renewed and reaffirmed their commitment to enhance bilateral cooperation to new heights.
Only a few days ago on 20 June 2022, I wrote to the local media and said.
Quote.
Seek Indian Government aid assistance to promote equitable economic growth and especially job skills training for unemployed local youths leading to decent, paid work for all.
I write often with feeling and with a deep residual commitment to the health needs of Solomon Islanders, but with my age and a reduced number of charity organizations, themselves reliant practically wholly on donations to freight hospital supplies and medical equipment to Honiara, as in the past, I am increasingly frustrated by my inability to deliver what I know is still much needed.
I must now put my faith in Solomon Islands diplomatic partners, old and new, to step up their promises, but in the past, not always fulfilled as promised to ensure the Solomon Islands is aided to promote sustainable, inclusive and equitable economic growth, infrastructure, economic growth and decent work for all.
I am convinced that the future lies in IT and technological advances and with the advent and development of broadband service; I am convinced more must be done to give training to our unemployed youths to become skilled in computer usage and information technology.
In order to pave the way for the advancement of Solomon Islands youths and to help them gain work, I humbly request the Solomon Islands Government to seek the aid of the Government of India, a long standing diplomatic partner since 1987 via the Indian Government’s existing foreign aid programme.
The IT industry's impact in India is profound and highly advanced. It is a positive contributor to India's revenue growth, talent capability, diversity in workforce, and its digital infrastructure.
It would not be costly for India to second two or three trainers and instructors, with a supply of the necessary equipment, and create a training/teaching facility in Honiara for unemployed youths to begin instruction in computer usage and information technology exchanges and advances
India has a substantial aid budget year on year and has helped with training and development in some of the regions smaller states and countries. Bhutan in particular received 250 million Indian rupees in Indian foreign aid in 2019 for development and training resources.
In 2014, India announced that it would provide a grant-in-aid of US$100,000 annually to each of the 14 Pacific Island countries, including Solomon Islands.
End of quote.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
