Having reached out to the Pacific Island Countries to support its bid for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council, India also wants to collaborate with them for combating the challenge of climate change, ahead of the UN Climate Summit in Paris later this year.

On Friday, addressing the second summit of the Forum for India Pacific Island Countries (FIPIC), Prime Minister Narendra Modi said climate change is clearly a pressing concern for all and combating it is India’s national priority. His statement comes a day after the EU Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete asked India to immediately submit its emissions reductions targets for the UN climate summit.

The Prime Minister said India and the Pacific Island Countries can enrich each other through bilateral and regional cooperation, and suggested they work together for UN reforms. He sought their support for the quick adoption of the draft presented by the President of the General Assembly as the negotiating text to conclude negotiations during the 70th Session of the General Assembly and promised that India would stand by them at international forum.

“Your voice of support for India’s permanent membership of UNSC will give UN the global character and balance that mirrors our age,” he said.

India, which has been trying to match China’s growing influence in the region, assured the PICs that India stands shoulder to shoulder with them for a dedicated seat for SIDS (Small Island Developing States) in an expanded and reformed UN Security Council in both categories.

Rich in seabed resources, the Pacific Island Countries (PIC) are keen to partner with India in the area of exploration of minerals. China, which has made staggering investment in the region, is also eyeing to be a part of the venture.

Wooing Bollywood

The PICs are also eager to give tourism a fillip using the Hindi film industry. Fiji, for instance, offers a close to 50 per cent tax rebate to overseas film-makers to encourage film producers to shoot in their country.