India Must Ensure Permanent Presence in Pacific
By
Colonel Awadhesh Kumar, Special Forces Veteran
Though 38% of Fijian population is of Indian origin, till date India had not paid The required attention to Fiji. Not even when Ratu Mahindra Choudhary was the Prime Minister of Fiji in 1999- 2000 and was ousted in a military coup after just a year in power.
In contrast China had greater presence in Fiji in terms of trade and economy in comparison to other countries including India. Fiji and China have had a long-term training exchange program under which several Chinese naval vessels visit this island nation. This is even when Chinese Fijians numbering around 8000 constitute just 1% of the population.
Through its Act East Policy, the NDA Govt, India had begun increasing its presence in Southern Pacific and Southern Indian Ocean. During the last visit of Fijian Defence and National Security Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola to New Delhi, both the Countries signed few important pacts. The pact on Defence cooperation included defence industry, military training, intelligence and humanitarian assistance and disaster management.
The two countries have expanded defence cooperation in fields of maritime security and naval cooperation. This cooperation is of both strategic, as well as operational value to both the countries. It has not only improved Fiji’s existing naval capabilities but also provided India a permanent stay in the area in guise of systematic military program assistance. Earlier as per the Indian Maritime Security Strategy, southern Pacific Ocean was not of much maritime interest.
However the government under Modi began giving special emphasis to Fiji considering the strategic value of the region. This in sharp contrast to the rebuff given to Australia by India with respect to joint Naval Exercise in which Australia wanted to participate. The pact was significant because it underscored New Delhi’s geopolitical stakes in the Southern Pacific and embedded India further within the strategic dynamic of the Asia Pacific.
Now time has come for greater cooperation between the Indian Navy and Fijian defence forces and translate the same into greater Indian naval presence in the Pacific. Thus apart from Camhran Bay in Vietnam, now India should have another place where Indian Ships can pay a visit on regular basis.
India should also have more activity within the India-Pacific Islands summit format as a means for India to advance its interests in the region and to work with Pacific Island nations on issues including trade, climate change, diplomacy, and space cooperation. In fact both cyclone and tsunami are bane for this Island nation of Fiji comprising over 300 islands.
Even the ISRO has expanding its foot print into the region. The Indian Space Research Organization has set up a new space research and satellite monitoring station on the Fiji Islands. An emerging space power India has end its dependency on US and Australia for assistance in monitoring its satellites over the Pacific. These monitoring stations will also strengthen India’s Naval capabilities in Southern Pacific.
The Indian Navy must patrol The Southern Pacific Ocean more frequently and extended their area to visit Fiji too and thus show the Indian Flag in Southern Pacific.
