An academic says the increasing role India is playing in the Pacific could help the region escape sole reliance on China.
India is currently a relatively small spender in the Pacific, with aid of $US23 million since 2011.
Rani Mullen, a visiting fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies in Singapore, says more trade and investment in the Pacific should be welcomed instead of loans.
She told Mackenzie Smith that outside of Fiji, India has only recently stepped up its engagement in the region.
Associate Professor Rani D. Mullen Photo Lynda Chanwai-Earle, Asia Media Centre Photo: Lynda Chanwai-Earle
