India forges diplomatic ties with 'Wi-Fi nation'

Niue? What's new? Last week, India quietly established formal diplomatic relations with Niue,  a South Pacific island of 1,400 inhabitants, which is better known as the  world's first "Wi-Fi nation", in which free wireless Internet access is provided  throughout the country.

Minister of State for External  Affairs E. Ahamed and Prime Minister of Niue Toke Talagi signed a joint  communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Niue,  at Cook Islands, on Aug 30, the external affairs ministry said here Tuesday.

The signing ceremony took place on  the sidelines of the the 16-nation Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in which India  participates as a dialogue partner.

Niue is a member of regional bodies  such as the Pacific Island Forum, the Pacific Community, the UNESCO and the  WTO.

Better known the "Rock of Polynesia",  Niue is 2,400 km northeast of New Zealand in a triangle between Tonga to  the southwest, the Samoas to the northwest and the Cook Islands to the  southeast.

A self-governing island, Niue is in free association with New Zealand, its biggest trading partner.

Except for defence and foreign  relations, Niue runs its own affairs. All Niueans are New Zealand  citizens.