US-led ‘Partners in the Blue Pacific’ initiative

Context

In a latest development, the United States and its allies have launched a new initiative called ‘Partners in the Blue Pacific’ for “effective and efficient cooperation” with the region’s small island nations.

What is Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP) initiative?

• The PBP is a five-nation “informal mechanism” to support Pacific islands and to boost diplomatic, economic ties in the region. 
• The initiative includes the US and its allies- Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the United Kingdom. 
• It speaks of enhancing “prosperity, resilience, and security” in the Pacific through closer cooperation. 
• It simply means that through the PBP, these countries — together and individually — will direct more resources here to counter China’s aggressive outreach.
• The initiative members have also declared that they will “elevate Pacific regionalism”, and forge stronger ties with the Pacific Islands Forum.
• The areas where PBP aims to enhance cooperation include:
• Climate crisis
• Connectivity and transportation
• Maritime security and protection
• Health
• Prosperity
• Education

The region

• The Indo-Pacific, on the other hand, is an integrated theatre that combines the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, and the land masses that surround them. 
• The Pacific Islands region is home to nearly a fifth of the Earth’s surface.