High Commission of India
Wellington
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INDIA - VANUATU BILATERAL BRIEF

Diplomatic relations with Vanuatu were established in 1986. Till mid-2000, the HCI, Canberra was accredited to Vanuatu. The accreditation was transferred to HCI, Port Moresby in August 2000 and to HCI Suva in June 2014. Since February 2022, High Commission of India in Wellington is accredited to Vanuatu.

2. India and Vanuatu maintain diplomatic relations characterized by goodwill and cooperation, with India providing developmental assistance to Vanuatu in areas such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. The two nations share common values in promoting democracy, multiculturalism, and addressing climate change concerns, enhancing their partnership in international forums. Despite the geographical distance between them, the bilateral relationship continues to grow, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration in various fields. Vanuatu is also in process of opening of Resident Mission in India.

3. The Forum for India-Pacific Island Countries Summit (FIPIC-III): The 3rd Forum for India–Pacific Islands Cooperation Summit was held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on May 22, 2023. It was co-chaired by Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape and attended by 14 Pacific Island Countries (PICs). The Vanuatu delegation, led by Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau, attended the Forum for India-Pacific Island Cooperation Summit (FIPIC-III) in Port Moresby (PNG) on 22 May 2023. 

4. In FIPIC-III, India announced the supply of sea ambulances and a Haemo Dialysis unit to Vanuatu. Vanuatu has accepted both the initiatives and the the Sea Ambulances as well as Haemo Dialysis unit will be delivered to Vanuatu in coming months.

5. The Forum for India-Pacific Island Countries Summit (FIPIC-II): A Vanuatu delegation led by Prime Minister Meltek Sato Kilman, visited India to attend 2nd Summit of Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) held at Jaipur on 21 August 2015.

6. The Forum for India-Pacific Island Countries Summit (FIPIC-I): Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi hosted the India-Pacific Island Countries Forum Summit in Suva (Fiji) during the visit on 19 November 2014 with the participation of 14 Pacific countries. Vanuatu delegation, led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Meltek Sato Kilman, attended the Summit. 

7. India-Pacific Islands Sustainable Development Conference (IPI-SDC): Under the umbrella of FIPIC, Government of India organized the India-Pacific Islands Sustainable Development Conference (IPI-SDC) which was held at Suva, Fiji on 25-26 May 2017. Minister of State for External Affairs Gen. (Dr.) V.K. Singh (Retd.) hosted the event. From Vanuatu Mr Ham Lini Vanuaroroa, Minister of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology, Geo-Hazard, Environment, Energy and Disaster Management led the delegation. Prasar Bharati of India gifted programmatic content on India for telecast to all the Pacific Island Countries. 

8. Voice of Global South Summit: The Voice of South Summit was held virtually on 12-13 January 2023, with 10 sessions in total. Vanuatu’s Minister of state, responsible for portfolio of Climate Change, Adaptation, Meteorology and Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management Mr. Ralph John Regenvanu participated in the Summit and spoke in the ‘Energy/Petroleum Ministers' session on 13 January, 2023. The theme of the session was 'Energy Security and Development: Roadmap to Prosperity', and the main topics of discussion included 'ensuring access to energy sources amidst increasing global instability, energy diversification, un-tapping the energy potential of the developing world, renewables, international solar alliance, etc.'

9. On 17 November 2023, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Vanuatu Matai Seremaiah participated  virtually in the Foreign Ministers’ Session of the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit. Summit was chaired by Dr S Jaishankar under the theme - India & the Global South: Emerging Together for a Better Future. Important discussions held on furthering South-South cooperation and consolidating the gains from G20 India for the Global South.

10. On 17 August 2024, DG, Trade and Commerce Jimmy Rantes from Vanuatu participated in the Trade Ministers’ Session of the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit which was held virtually under the theme - An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future. The Summit underscored India's commitment to collective action among developing nations, focusing on sustainable development goals, climate justice, and inclusive growth, amidst global challenges and geopolitical dynamics impacting the Global South.

Visits: 

11. From India to Vanuatu: Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines visited Vanuatu from 25-26 October 2016. This was a first ever Ministerial visit from India to Vanuatu. He had meetings with Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Leingkone Tau. Minister of State for Power presented a cheque of US$1,90,000 to Bruno Leingkone Tau for procurement of IT equipment for 76 schools in Vanuatu. Both Ministers had signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Establishing India-Vanuatu Centre of Excellence in IT (CEIT). Delegation from PSUs (PGCIL, CDAC, NTPC, EESL, SECI) also visited Vanuatu along with Minister.

12. Minister Goyal offered India’s assistance to supply LED bulbs and energy efficient equipment (worth US$ 200,000) to Vanuatu as part of annual grant to Vanuatu. The US$ 200,000 assistance for LED bulbs and energy efficient equipment has been delivered on 31 January 2018, by handing over a cheque to President of Vanuatu H.E. Pastor Tallis Obed Moses by High Commissioner at Nauru (on the sidelines of 50th anniversary of Nauru’s independence).   

13. Vanuatu expressed in favour of expansion of UNSC and supported India’s position for its candidature to permanent membership to the UNSC. Vanuatu Foreign Minister also conveyed its support to India’s candidature for non-permanent seat on the UNSC for the year 2021-22.

14. In June 2024, High Commissioner visited Vanuatu. During her visit, she along with the Prime Minister of Vanuatu M. Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas inaugurated the state-of-the-art facility Centre for Excellence in  Information Technology (CEIT) in port Villa on 11 June 2024. She also paid a courtesy call on DPM & FM Matai Seremaiah and exchanged views on growing ties. HC also met Mr. Anatole Hymak, Minister of Education and Training in Port Vila and thanked him for his enormous support for the establishment of CEIT. During her stay, HC briefed members of the media at a Press conference in Port Vila where she highlighted growing bilateral ties as well as India’s developmental initiatives in the Pacific region. She also had an interactive session with ITEC alumni and an SSIFS-trained diplomats. All of them appreciated India’s capacity-building initiatives and shared how these experiences and learnings have helped them in their fields. HC had a session with the Indian community in Vanuatu and thanked them for promoting India-Vanuatu friendship. She explained them various initiatives and consular services of the High Commission of India in Wellington. 

From Vanuatu to India:

15. In July 2024, three distinguished Doctors from Vanuatu viz: Dr. Sereana Natuman, Director of Hospital and Curative services; DR. Errollyn Tungu, Medical Superintendent of Vila Central Hospital and Dr. Orelly Thyna, Chairperson of the Overseas Referral Committee visited India as representatives of the Ministry of Health. The visit was to explore the services that Indian Hospitals, especially Max Healthcare in collaboration with Pacific’s India Treatment organizer – Medivisor India Treatment, can offer to Vanuatu and its patients. During the visit the discussions focused on the skill development of Vanuatu healthcare providers and the treatment of Vanuatu patients in need of overseas treatment. The doctors also met with about twenty Vanuatu’s citizens undergoing treatment in India.

16. Alberick Jean Jacques Rory, Senior Health Officer, attended the seventh session of the Conference of the Parties (COP7) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) held in New Delhi from 7-12 November 2016.

17. Michael Ligo, Custom Audit Officer, from Department of Customs and Inland Revenue, visited India, to attend World Customs Organisation's Asia Pacific Regional Workshop on Intelligence-led Risk Management held at Faridabad, from 21-25 November 2016.

18. In 1983, the Deputy PM of Vanuatu met Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi during the NAM Summit meeting in New Delhi. The Transport Minister of Vanuatu attended the World Infrastructural Forum in New Delhi in October 1996. Former Prime Minister Barak Sope visited India in 1983 as a member of the Vanuatu delegation to the NAM in New Delhi.  

19. Human Resources Development: India has been offering 05 training slots under the ITEC Programme until 2018-2019. In the year 2018-19, Vanuatu utilized only 1 slot. Since 2019-20, Vanuatu has been offered 01 ITEC slot which has remained underutilized due till date despite Mission’s best effort. 

20. Kemson Tavdey, Foreign Service Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vanuatu participated in the 63rd Professional Course for Foreign Diplomats (PCFD) held at Foreign Service Institute, New Delhi from 29 March to 28 April 2017. Mr. Dero Tawi, Senior Desk Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vanuatu participated in the 3rd Special Course for Diplomats from Pacific Island Countries held at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, New Delhi from 20 February – 03 March 2023.

21. Centre for Excellence in  Information Technology (CEIT) : High Commissioner inaugurated the state-of-the-art facility Centre for Excellence in  Information Technology (CEIT) in June 2024. This centre was set-up under the purview of MoU signed on 26 October 2016 between Government of Republic of India and Government of Republic of Vanuatu. This centre is providing varios micro and macro level IT courses to upgrade the skills of Vanuatu’s nationals. In March 2025, the first batch of IT specialists were graduated from the Center  of Excellence in IT at Port Villa in Vanuatu.

22. Indian Assistance: As part of Government of India's Regional Assistance Initiatives for Pacific Island countries, India offers annual grant-in-aid for development projects in Vanuatu. Following “Cyclone Pam” in March 2015, India gave a grant of US$ 250,000 as a humanitarian assistance.  India gave a grant of US$ 200,000 for resettlement process of Ambae islands after eruption of volcano in June 2018.  The amount was handed over to the Prime Minister of Vanuatu on 26 July 2018. 

23. GOI has increased Grant-in-Aid to Vanuatu to US$ 200,000 annually to be rolled over to provide a wider scope for our development cooperation.

24. India had given US$ 669,093 to Vanuatu since 2006 for various community development projects ‘like procurement of equipment for school/office equipment/LED bulbs & ICT equipment etc.

25. After the massive earthquake in Port Vila in December 2024, government of India announced immediate assistance of US $ 500,000 as Humanitarian Assistance for Disaster Relief (HADR). The Indian assistance was much appreciated by Vanuatu.  HCI in collaboration with New Zealand MFAT and New Zealand Defence Force arranged evacuation of 6 Indians who were stranded in Port Vila after the earthquake. 

26. Climate Change and Solar Energy Cooperation: India is doing solar electrification of 200 houses in Vanuatu.  Refresher training for 43 ‘Solar Mamas’ from seven Pacific Island Countries was completed successfully in Fiji on 10 September 2016, as a part of US$ 1.5 mn GOI project of ‘solar electrification of 2800 houses in 14 PICs’. Four Vanuatu solar mamas had been trained in India at Barefoot College, Rajasthan since 2012. 

27. International Solar Alliance: Vanuatu joined the ISA as its founding member on its launch at COP22 Climate Summit in Marrakech, Morocco on November 15, 2016 and ratified the Framework Agreement on The Establishment of The International Solar Alliance Instrument in July 2018.

28. Participation in ISA Founding Conference and Solar Summit: Charlot Salwai TABIMASMAS, Prime Minister of Vanuatu led the country’s delegation to the ISA Founding Conference and Solar Summit which was held in New Delhi on 11 March 2018. Vanuatu PM also had a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Conference.

29. Culture: Ms. Meera Das, Indian Classical Dance Group (Odissi) performed in Vanuatu on 7 November 2017 as a part of Namaste Pacifika, a Festival of India being held in seven Pacific Island Countries. This was such first-ever Indian Cultural group’s performance in Vanuatu, which mesmerized over 1000-strong audience.  

30. International Day of Yoga: The 11th International Day of Yoga was celebrated in Port Vila on June 21st 2025. The event saw enthusiast participation of local community as well as Ambassador of Japan in Vanuatu and also representatives of US Embassy. The 10th International Day of Yoga 2024 was celebrated in Port Vila, Vanuatu, with great enthusiasm on 22 June 2024. Mr. John Kaltau, Director of the Ministry of Education and Training, represented the ministry at the event. The celebration saw active participation from members of the Diplomatic Corps, as well as the Indian and Vanuatu communities. The IDY celebration brought together people from diverse backgrounds to enjoy and promote the benefits of yoga.

31. Indian Diaspora : A small Indian community comprising around 50 people resides in Vanuatu.

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