The Permanent Secretary of Office of the Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs, Mr Yogesh Karan, met the Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India Mr Saurabh Kumar ahead of the 5th Fiji and India Foreign office consultation, yesterday (18/07/22).
In welcoming his counterpart, Permanent Secretary Karan thanked Mr Kumar and his delegation for their first official visit to Fiji, to attend the 5th Fiji-India Foreign Office Consultation.
He added that India’s increased levels of cooperation with Fiji illustrate the strong partnership and bonds of friendship between the two nations.
India was one of the first countries to provide direct support to Fiji with lifesaving vaccines and further assisted Fiji’s national response to the COVID-19 pandemic through provisions of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and medical supplies.
The cooperation opportunities in building resilient economies through climate and pandemic challenges, investment in health, education, trade and investment, renewable energy, agriculture, sugar industry, infrastructure, education, empowerment of women and children, and cultural exchanges, were discussed in detail at the meeting.
The agenda also included discussions on increasing collaboration to tackle the crisis caused by the impact of climate change, which has been further exacerbated by the impacts of the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Discussions included Fiji-India collaboration in the lead-up to the 12th World Hindi Conference to be held in Fiji and hosted by the Fijian Government.
As the world’s largest democracy, India has also assured Fiji of its support for the upcoming elections in Fiji.
In conclusion, Mr Karan thanked Mr Kumar and his team for their swift assistance in the successful coordination of the 5th Fiji-India Foreign Office Consultation. He said the discussions reflected the two countries shared commitment to enhancing cooperation, which will materialise into tangible actions and return of investment for Fiji and India.
In response, Mr Kumar extended his appreciation to the Fijian Government for the warm hospitality and for successfully hosting the 5th Fiji-India Foreign Office Consultation.
He said India stands by Fiji and is ready to support Fiji at all levels, particularly with Fiji’s efforts to advance national and regional development.
He commended Prime Minister Bainimarama for his decisive leadership on issues of climate, global peace, and security and for strengthening solidarity.
He congratulated the Fijian Government for the progressive actions taken to revive the tourism industry and rebuild the economy, in the face of climate change and the pandemic.
