Pacific region’s diversity demands respect: Experts

The Pacific Island countries are not a chessboard for others’ geostrategic games. These are sovereign nations with clear policies, strategic positions, and priorities for security and development, according to Dr Teresa N Cain, Council Member, Australian Institute of International Affairs, Brisbane, Australia

“The Pacific is not a homogenous but a diverse region with distinct politics, cultures, and languages. While generalisations overlook its complexities, one thing is clear that Pacific voices must be respected and included in shaping their future,” Dr Cain said.

Moderating the session, titled "Trilateral Approaches to Indo-Pacific Stability", former Ambassador and Distinguished Fellow of CUTS International, Anil Wadhwa said “Small Island developing states in the Indo-Pacific face an existential threat from climate change, sea-level rise, and natural disasters, making it imperative for major donors and partners to amplify their voices and address these urgent challenges”.


This webinar was organised by CUTS International, a prominent four decades old global think-tank to discuss approaches, strategies, challenges and synergies for the stability in the Indo-Pacific. Anjali Shekhawat, Research Associate, CUTS International triggered the discussions with a background presentation.

Col Edison K. Napyo, Papua New Guinea’s Defence Adviser to India, called for collaborative disaster resilience strategies, noting, “India and Australia, with their technological advancements and proximity to the Pacific, can play a transformative role in helping Pacific Island nations develop robust early warning systems and disaster response training programmes.”

Echoing Prime Minister Modi's statement, “India is ready to listen and respond to local priorities, ensuring a partnership based on respect and inclusivity,” said former Indian Ambassador Gurjit Singh, also a Distinguished Fellow at CUTS advocated for cost-effective and locally responsive cooperation models in the Indo-Pacific region.

Discussing about traditional threats, Commodore Anil Jai Singh (Retd.) emphasised the need for enhancing maritime security, stating, “India and Australia can bolster regional maritime domain awareness by leveraging their interoperability, such as shared use of maritime patrol aircraft and multilateral exercises, to address capacity gaps and prevent external inducements in the South Pacific.”

As a way forward, Joel Abraham, former CEO of the Fijian Competition & Consumer Commission (FCCC) stated how India's drought-resistant crop technologies and Australia’s water management expertise can support PICs in achieving food security and sustainable fisheries while preserving marine ecosystems.

Jillatieno Juma, Sub-Regional Trade Advisor (Melanesia), Pacific Islands Forum raised the practical challenges to trade, emphasising, “Market access is what is written on paper, but the practical challenges remain in market entry, particularly due to sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical trade barriers.” She also highlighted the need for enhancing economic growth through collaboration on MSME trade finance, digital infrastructure, and air connectivity.

Speakers also discussed opportunities for expanding rural electrification and energy independence in PICs through solar, wind, and hydrogen energy technologies, combining India's cost effectiveness and Australia's advancements in energy storage.

Purushendra Singh, Associate Director of CUTS International concluded the webinar by saying that “Building capacity, enhancing technological expertise, improving connectivity, and amplifying the spirit of "unity in diversity" pave the way forward”.