India-FSM 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