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India’s Minister of State for External Affairs concludes Pacific tour

Shri Pabitra Margherita, India's Minister of State for External Affairs, poses with Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero during a Meet and Greet event in Guam. The stop concluded his diplomatic tour across the Philippines, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia.
Official Twitter/X account of Minister Shri Pabitra Margherita/Ministry of External Affairs India
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Twitter/X
Shri Pabitra Margherita, India's Minister of State for External Affairs, poses with Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and the Consul General of India in San Francisco, Dr. K. Srikar Reddy, during a meet-and-greet event with the Indian community on the island.

India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri Pabitra Margherita, recently concluded a week-long diplomatic tour across the Pacific, which included visits to the Philippines, Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Guam.

According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the tour was part of the country’s Act East Policy (AEP) and Indo-Pacific vision, aimed at strengthening ties with nations in the region. These initiatives are part of India’s broader effort under AEP to deepen relationships with Southeast Asia, bolster its standing as a regional power, and counter China’s growing influence.

During his visit to the Philippines, Margherita met with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in areas such as commerce, defense, technology, and cultural exchanges. He also called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., expressing gratitude for the President's support in strengthening ties between India and the Philippines during the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. Margherita also engaged with the Indian diaspora in the Philippines, acknowledging their role in fostering cultural and economic ties.

In Palau, Margherita attended the swearing-in ceremony of President Surangel Whipps Jr. for his second term. He also held discussions with President Whipps Jr. to review bilateral relations and explore ways to enhance development cooperation. Additionally, the minister visited Peleliu Island, where he handed over 12 water tanks gifted by India for rainwater harvesting, further strengthening development partnerships with the island nation.

Margherita’s visit to the Federated States of Micronesia included meetings with Secretary of Foreign Affairs Lorin Robert and President Wesley Simina. Discussions centered on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring avenues for development cooperation.

Margherita’s stop in Guam, considered unofficial, focused on engaging with the local Indian community. At a meet-and-greet event, he delivered a speech highlighting the crucial role of the Indian diaspora in advancing India’s global ambitions. The minister stressed that the diaspora’s contributions are integral to India’s goal of becoming the world’s third-largest economy and transforming into a developed nation by 2047, coinciding with the centenary of its independence.

Naina Rao serves as Isla Public Media's first News Director. She's extensively produced for National Public Radio's Morning Edition, Culture Desk, and 1A.
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