Island states and entities in the South Pacific lie in the African council have become major nodes in India's changing strategic geography. In this context, highlight the importance of these island states for India and also throw light upon the initiatives taken by India to strengthen ties with these states.

Islands are the new centers of power, and have set of a geopolitical scare for cooperation and engagements. Importance of island states for India 1) Location ⇒ vantage points for Indian ocean (capital islands), Pacific ocean (Polynesian islands). 2) Securing sea lanes of communication. Eg: Coco island ⇒ Persian gulf, Mauritius ⇒ Indian ocean, Tuvalu ⇒ Pacific ocean. 3) Climate change impact ⇒ small islands will be the points of suffering. 4) Countering China. Eg: China's 99 year lease of Srilanka's port, military presence in Djibouti etc.