Minister of State for Health Ashwini Kumar Choubey, who is on an official visit to Tuvalu, today said that India was willing to offer its expertise to the island nation in the field of medical, IT, marine, solar energy and education, the Health Ministry said.
Choubey also handed over a cheque of AUD 66,705 (Australian dollar) to the Government of Tuvalu as a development partnership assistance from India and invited Prime Minister Enele Sosene Sopoaga to visit India, the ministry said.
He also met Home Minister of Tuvalu Namoliki Sualiki Neemia and discussed various issues relating to Indo-Tuvalu bilateral relations.
Choubey is the first Indian minister to visit the country.
During his visit to a government hospital in Funafuti, Choubey requested the Tuvalu government to send a formal proposal for receiving assistance in the medical sector.
The ministry said it was felt that there is a need for setting up of an effective blood bank system to make the services more effective.
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He visited Solar Project Site and Demonstration House of Tuvalu Electrical Complex. He was highly impressed with the work of six Tuvalu solar Mamas (women) who completed six-months training in Barefoot College Rajasthan, India in September, 2017.
Choubey further said that the High Commission of India in Fiji will also organise fourth International Day of Yoga event at Funafuti. He had a meeting with the Red Cross Secretary General of Tuvalu where he discussed the current network and services of the Red Cross in the island country.