Embassy of India, Manila, Philippines

India-FSM Bilateral Relations

Bilateral Relations

India- Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Bilateral Relations

India established full consular and diplomatic relations with FSM in 1996. Bilateral

relations between India and FSM are friendly. This has seen intensification since the initiation

of the Forum of India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC). Vice President of FSM Hon. Yosiwo

P. George led FSM delegation at the 2nd FIPIC held on 21 August 2015 in Jaipur. On

September 24, 2019 on the margins of UNGA, President David Panuelo joined other Pacific

Island leaders in the India-Pacific Islands Developing States Leaders meeting with Prime

Minister Narendra Modi. During the meeting PM Modi announced allocation of US$ 12 million

grant (1 million to each PSIDS) towards implementation of high impact developmental project

in the area of their choice. In addition, a concessional Line of Credit of US$150 Million which

can be availed by the PSIDS for undertaking solar, renewable energy and climate related

projects based on each country’s requirement was announced. PM Modi also invited the

PSIDS leaders to join CDRI.

02. Visits/meetings:

Ms. Pooja V. Vernekar, Counsellor(Political)’s visited FSM in July 2023 as

Government of India’s representative at inauguration of H.E. Wesley W. Simina as the

10 th President of FSM. MoS, Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, held a virtual interaction with

Hon. Kandhi A. Elieisar, Secretary (Minister), Department of Foreign Affairs of the

Federated States of Micronesia on November 30, 2021. The Ministers reviewed the

progress made in bilateral relations, development cooperation between India and FSM,

including through the Forum for India-Pacific Island Cooperation (FIPIC), and climate

action. They also discussed ways to further enhance cooperation in development

partnership, including capacity building.

President Peter Christian met Sh. Y.S. Chowdary, MOS (S&T & Earth Sciences) in

Palau in January 2017 on the side lines of the inauguration of the fourth term of President of

Palau where they had an engaging discussion on how to revitalise our bilateral and developmental partnership.

Shri Debnath Shaw, JS and Special Envoy from MEA visited FSM in July 2005 in

connection with India’s candidature for a permanent seat in UNSC. The government of FSM

has affirmed its support for India’s candidature for a permanent seat in UNSC and also

supported India for non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council for the year 2011-12.

03. Trade: The total export of India to FSM was USD 0.53 Million in 2019-20; USD 0.72

Million in 2020-21; USD 0.62 Million in 2021-22 and USD 0.59 Million in 2022-23. Major items

of Indian exports are pharmaceutical products, plastic articles, filaments, clothing accessories,

etc. Potential areas of Indian exports are rice, animal food and other agricultural products;

knocked down furniture items, steel, cement, etc.

04. Defence Cooperation: The Indian Naval Ship 'Satpura', paid a goodwill visit to FSM in August 2016.

05. Support to Indian candidatures: FSM has generally been supportive of India’s

candidatures to various UN and international bodies and has supported our candidatures to

ICJ, IMO, UNESCO. FSM President Christian at his address at UNGA in September 2016

reiterated FSM's support for the G4 countries (Brazil, Germany, India and Japan) to become

permanent members of Security Council. FSM reiterated its support for G4 during

presentation of credential by Ambassador on 20 October 2021.

06. ITEC program/Scholarships: India has been offering five training slots to FSM under

India’s Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme for capacity building.

During 2017-18 in addition to ITEC, India offered training slots in hydrography at the National

Institute of Hydrography towards meeting capacity building requirements of the Pohnpei Port

Authority. Scholarships for higher education in India are also offered to FSM by Indian Council

for Cultural Relations (ICCR). In 2016, seven solar mamas were sent to Barefoot College for

a six months course in rural electrification. FSM has expressed interest in Indian expertise in

the areas of SME, banking, IT apart from our traditional support to them in coconut

development. 3 diplomats from FSM attended 3 rd the Special Diplomat's Training Course

organized from 20 Feb to 03 Mar, 2023 at Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign

Services(SSIFS) of India. A young diplomat of FSM recently attended 69th Professional

Course for Foreign Diplomats (PCFD) held at SSIFS, New Delhi from 3-28 October 2022.

Two diplomats from FSM participated in the Special Diplomat's Training Course organized by

SSIFS of India from 11-15 May 2015.

07. Developmental Assistance: India has an ongoing developmental cooperation with

FSM in the spirit of South-South cooperation. Under bilateral Grant-in-Aid programme, in

August 2005, we provided assistance of US$ 48,796 for the purchase of machinery for

extraction of virgin coconut oil; in 2009 US$ 73,145 in support of Coconut Development

Authority of FSM for purchase of machinery for extraction of virgin coconut oil; in 2011 US$

100,000 for a project on upgrading and increasing production of coconut oil and in 2015 USD

200,000 for FSM Integrated Agriculture Census. Under India-UNDP fund, the Project titled

‘Climate Early Warning Systems for 7 Pacific Island Countries(PICs)’ including FSM costing

US$ one million is under process. It aims to enhance the ability of the governments of seven

PICs to prepare, respond to and recover from climate-related disasters. India is also assisting

FSM for the project “Strengthening Micronesia’s National Gender Machinery” costing US$ 1

Million through the India-UNDP fund. As a part of the project for solarisation of the Head of

States residence/ office in all PICs, India is also assisting FSM with solarisation of Head of

States residence/office under the India UNDP Fund.

08. Diaspora and culture: International Day of Yoga (IDY) is celebrated in FSM with an

enthusiastic participation of local yoga teachers and yoga practitioners. In 2021 and 2022,

IDY was celebrated virtually through Virtual Yoga event organized by the Embassy. In 2023,

IDY was celebrated in Pohnpei Gymnasium with enthusiastic participation of FSM nationals.

There are 35-40 Indian nationals in FSM, mainly in the island of Chuuk. While there are 6

professionals (2 scientists, 2 doctors and 2 engineers) others are working as shop workers.

Social media handles for FSM

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indembFSM/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/indembFSM

12 October, 2023

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