The year was 1987 when Rabuka, then a Lt Col, had ousted the democratically elected government in his country. Two years on, Ambassador T P Sreenivasan was asked to leave.
Pacific Island country was hit by 7.4 magnitude earthquake on 17 December. New Delhi has offered aid for rehabilitation as part of efforts to be a first responder to the region.
Recent research shows extreme weather is already costing vulnerable island nations $141 billion each year. This will rise to $1 trillion annually by 2030.
For the US and Japan, the Pacific Islands are a crucial component of the broader Indo-Pacific framework. Consequently, these countries have become central to their strategic interests.
The US-Kiribati dual national manages a handle on X which is followed by foreign affairs experts, top officials, journalists & even the Indian High Commission in Fiji.
While Palau has a close relationship with the US, China, which is trying to increase its footprint in the region, has been flexing its muscles against the Pacific Islands nation.
Global powers are using different approaches to connect with strategically significant region interlinked with global peace. Amid this, 1st Korea-Pacific Islands Summit was held end May.
Addressing the summit, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the two sides have a 'shared vision for the future and a determination to build that future together.'
The country had signed a security pact with China in April. The Biden administration is hosting leaders from the Pacific Island Forum bloc as US competes for influence in the South Pacific.
Reuters report details China 'plans' for cooperation with Pacific Island nations in policing, security, and trade, among other areas, ahead of Wang Yi's tour of 8 island nations.
Research paper, however, finds lowest indebtedness level among Muslims at 12.3% & highest among Hindus at 14.9%. Overall national financial inclusion level at 87.2%, indebtedness at 14.7%.
Fresh details of operation conducted by IAF, Army have come out in gazette notification giving citations of those who were awarded Vir Chakra for their bravery.
On 21 Oct, a buzz went up that the govt had released full list of gallantry award recipients along with Op Sindoor citations. I put an AI caddy on the job. It took me into a never-ending rabbit hole.
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