Union Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines, Shri Piyush Goyal led a thirteen-member Indian delegation to Republic of Vanuatu on 25-26th October, 2016. During this visit, the Minister held meetings with H.E. Mr. Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas, Prime Minister of Republic of Vanuatu and H.E. Mr. Bruno Leingkone Tau, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and discussed India-Vanuatu bilateral relations.Vanuatu has acknowledged India’s commitment for strengthening bilateral ties through this first ever ministerial visit from India to Republic of Vanuatu. It may be mentioned that India-Vanuatu bilateral relations are very friendly and mutually cooperative and getting stronger following two Summits of Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) since November 2014.During the visit, Shri Goyal handed over a cheque of US$ 1,90,000 to H.E. Mr. Bruno Leingkone Tau as an assistance for providing ICT equipment to 76 schools of Vanuatu under India’s annual grant. Vanuatu acknowledged India’s important assistance which will contribute to the development of education sector in Vanuatu.
Further, Shri Goyal announced that LED bulbs and other Energy Efficient equipment worth US$ 2,00,000 will be supplied from India to Vanuatu. This assistance is under Government of India’s annual grant to Vanuatu, which will help to reduce the energy consumption and save millions of dollars of electricity consumption. Vanuatu acknowledged India’s assistance in its fight against climate change.Vanuatu is in favour of expansion of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and supports India’s position for its candidature to permanent membership to the extended UNSC. India appreciated valuable support of Vanuatu to its candidature of permanent membership to the UNSC. Vanuatu has also conveyed its support to India’s candidature for non-permanent seat on the UNSC for year 2021-22.Shri Piyush Goyal and H.E. Mr. Bruno Leingkone Tau signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Establishing India-Vanuatu Centre of Excellence in IT (CEIT). Further, Vanuatu expressed its support and desire to join the International Solar Alliance, launched by India and France in November 2015.Shri Piyush Goyal and H.E. Mr. Joe Natuman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade, Tourism, Commerce and Industry of Vanuatu addressed and guided the India-Vanuatu Business interaction meeting today, in which seven representatives from Indian public sector companies -NTPC, PGCIL, SECI, CDAC and EESL- participated along with several companies from Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce.During his visit, Shri Goyal also interacted with Vanuatu Nationals who benefited from various courses under Indian Technical Economic Cooperation (ITEC). He also had the opportunity to interact with Indian Nationals and several Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs).