Marshall Islands
India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) in April 1995. India’s relations with the RMI are covered from Japan with the Indian Ambassador to Japan being concurrently accredited to the RMI.
Cooperation to tackle the challenge of COVID-19 Pandemic
- India donated 7.500 tablets of Hydroxycholoroquine to RMI in September 2020.
Capacity Building & Other Exchanges
- In FY 2017-18, 3 women from RMI underwent ITEC Training for “Training illiterate/semi-literate Rural Women on Solar Electrification and Rainwater Harvesting” conducted by Barefoot College, Ajmer.
- One officer from National Disaster Management Office, RMI underwent training on “Early Warning System for Oceanic disaster and Mitigation with Special Emphasis on Tsunamis” in November 2017 at Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Service, Hyderabad under INCOIS-NDMA Training Programme for Pacific Island Countries (under FIPIC).
- During the FY 2020-2021, one applicant participated from RMI in the e-ITEC course “Online Programme on Financial Inclusion & Development” by National Institute of Bank Management.
- RMI nominated 2 diplomats for 3rd Special Course for Diplomats from Pacific Island Countries, which was held between 20 February to 03 March 2023 at Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, New Delhi.
- “Sagar Amrut Scholarships” scheme for the PIC countries was announced during FIPIC-III summit held in May 2023. Under the scheme India is offering a total of 200 fully funded scholarship slots each year to participants from PIC countries.
Development Cooperation (Grants/ LoCs/ Assistance)
- Since 2005, India has provided more than USD 1.8 million as assistance to RMI for various grant-in-aid projects relating to purchase of equipment, disaster relief, national export strategy, community and local government projects harnessing solar energy, water and sanitation.
- India provided assistance of USD 242,500 in 2005 for purchase of solar panels and two-way radio sets for Outer Islands Health Centre for the Ministry of Health, Marshall Islands.
- Subsequently, in 2008 India provided USD 100,000 for solar powered street lights and provided two mini vans and computer (plus communication equipment) in 2013 to the tune of USD 163,000.
- As disaster relief for drought, India provided USD 100,000 to Marshall Islands in 2013.
- India has provided grant-in-aid of USD 100,570 for funding Marshall Islands’s first National Export Strategy in January 2015.
- In FY 2015-16, India provided special grant of USD 150,000 for organizing the Annual Pacific Islands Leader’s Summit in Majuro. A grant of USD 199,680 for Atoll Community Coral and Calm Project and a grant of USD 100,000 for disaster relief and recovery were provided.
- A financial assistance of USD 200,000 sanctioned for Majuro Atoll Local Government for “Solar Refrigeration Project” under GoI’s Annual grant-in-aid programme for FY 2017-18 was handed over on the sidelines of India-Pacific Islands Sustainable Development Conference.
- The project included:
- Solar powered small home system to support refrigeration to store food (chest freezers)
- 7 units of solar powered street lighting for area lighting
- 50 units of Electric Bicycles (including spares)
- In June 2020, the project to improve resilience in the Pacific Island Countries (including RMI) was signed between United Nations Resident Coordinator and Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) to be largely funded by India. Under the scheme Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems will be installed on buildings of national significance. (Total funding: US $ 1 Million)
- In September 2017 Climate Early Warning Systems Project in Seven Pacific Countries (including RMI) was launched under the India-UN Development Partnership Fund. (Total funding: US $ 1 Million)
