As on 09th October, 2023
High Commission of India
Suva
India-Kiribati Bilateral Relations
Background
The concurrent accreditation of Kiribati was transferred to High Commission of India, Suva in October 2011. Prior to that High Commission in Wellington was concurrently accredited to Kiribati from September 1992.
High-Level Exchanges
FIPIC: The Forum for India-Pacific Island Countries was inaugurated on 19 November 2014 at Suva. Hon’ble Prime Minister of India also hosted the First Summit of the Forum in Suva (Fiji) during his historic visit to Fiji on 19 November 2014. The Forum saw participation of 14 Pacific Island Countries. Kiribati delegation was led by former President Hon. Anote Tong, attended the Summit.
FIPIC-II: As a follow-up of the historic first FIPIC Summit in 2014, India organized the second FIPIC at Jaipur on 21 August 2015, which was hosted by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Building upon the success of the first FIPIC, India announced major initiatives to boost cooperation with the 14 Pacific Island countries. Kiribati delegation led by Mr. Teekoa luta, Advisor on Asia, attended the Forum.
FIPIC-III: 3rd FIPIC Summit in 2014 was held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinew on 22 May 2023, which was hosted by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi and PNG Prime Minister, James Marape. Kiribati delegation led by President, Hon. Taneti Maamau attended the Summit.
Interaction with PSIDS at New York: On 24 September 2019, on the sidelines of the UNGA, Prime Minister of India Hon. Narendra Modi held an interaction, first of its kind, with the leaders of the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS). This high-level exchange will be followed up with the third Summit meeting of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC), which is scheduled to be held in the first half of 2020.
India-Pacific Islands Sustainable Development Conference (IPISDC): Government of India organized the India-Pacific Islands Sustainable Development Conference (IPISDC) at Suva, Fiji on 25-26 May 2017. Minister of State for External Affairs Gen. (Dr.) V. K. Singh (Retd.) hosted the event, in which Mr. Tekena Tiroa, Member of Parliament , Kiribati led the delegation.
International Solar Alliance: Kiribati has become one of the Founding Members of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) – a joint initiative of the Governments of India and France to promote solar energy. Hon. Ruateki Tekaiara, Minister for Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy visited India to attend the Founding Conference of the ISA in New Delhi on 11 march 2018.
Other Important Visits/Exchanges:
- Former President of Kiribati, Hon. Anote Tong visited New Delhi on 1-3 February 2012 to attend the 12th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit organised by TERI. President Hon. Anote Tong again visited New Delhi on 31 January-2 February 2013 to attend TERI’s Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS).
- A Kiribati delegation led by Hon. Teima Onorio, Vice President visited India in connection with the Second High Level Meeting (HLM) on South-South Cooperation for Child Rights in Asia and the Pacific, held in New Delhi on 23-25 October 2013.
- A Kiribati delegation led by Hon. Kobebe Taitai, Minister of Health and medical Services, accompanied by Dr Teatao Tira, Secretary, Ms Ioana Taakau, Chief Pharmacist and Ms Lina Nikuata, Senior Accountant visited India from 25th October to 2nd November 2016 to see medical facilities.
- Hon. Ruateki Tekaiara, Minister for Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy visited India to attend the 2nd Assembly of International Solar Alliance at New Delhi on 31 October 2019.
Development Partnership Assistance
Government of India provides annual grants for community development projects in Kiribati. In addition, training slots are offered to Kiribati under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme of the Government of India. Diplomats are also offered training at the Foreign Service Institute of India. India gave a grant of US$ 1.1 million to Kiribati on 6 December 2017 for solar lighting of the South Tarawa district. The project has benefited the households in the urban district who did not have access to electricity or power and are forced to resort to the use of fossil fuel for their lighting needs.
Cultural Relations
As part of Namaste Pacifika Festival of India, Odissi Dance Group led by Ms. Meera Das visited and performed in Tarawa in November 2017.
Since its inaugural event in 2015 the International Day of Yoga is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Kiribati every year with participation from high dignitaries, including the Kiribati President and the First Lady. This year also on 21 June 2023, High Commission of India in Suva in collaboration with Government of Kiribati celebrated 9th IDY in Tarawa, Kiribati. Around 50 yoga enthusiasts participated in the event.
