The Republic of India is the latest of bilateral partners to congratulate our newly elected Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele.

India’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Shri Inbasekar Sunaramuthi, paid a courtesy call on PM Manele this afternoon to present the congratulatory message.

Besides that, His Excellency Sunaramuthi also seeks to deepen the relationship between Solomon Islands and India through a number of bilateral initiatives.?

First, India seeks to set up a water desalination plant in the country and secondly, India aspires to assist health patients without limbs through a foot camp initiative.?

Finally India stands ready to forge partnership in the procurement of pharmaceutical products from India.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele first of all acknowledged India for its assistance in the provision of 20 Tata model buses that were put to use during the 17 th edition of the Pacific Games in November last year.

PM Manele assured the High Commissioner that the line ministries responsible for the water desalination plant, pharmaceutical procurement and the foot camp initiatives will follow through and take the plans forward to the implementation stage.

The Prime Minister further reaffirmed Solomon Islands’ support to establish a senior officials’ platform in the Forum for India- Pacific Islands Cooperation. This tier of leaders will consist of Permanent Secretaries and in our case, the Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs and External Trade will take the lead on that front. This will be pursued further in any upcoming international engagements.?

PM Manele assured that Solomon Islands will continue to seek to broaden bilateral cooperation with India and grow the bilateral relationship from strength to strength.

Secretary to Prime Minister Dr Jimmy Rodgers also had the privilege to update HE Shri Inbasekar Sunaramuthi that the 20 Tata model buses will be issued next week to the Ministry of Infrastructure Pool (of vehicles) and the Honiara City Council respectively.?

Dr Rodgers further assured HE Sunaramuthi that the plan for acquiring cheaper but quality pharmaceutical products from India bond well with the reform plans of the new Minister of Health and Medical Services, Hon. Paul Popora Bosawai MP.?

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Prime Minister’s Press Secretariat/OPMC