Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama received a courtesy call from Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, Republic of India Mr Saurabh Kumar, this morning (19/07/22).
PM Bainimarama welcomed Mr Kumar and the Indian delegation as they visited Fiji for the 5th Fiji-India Foreign Offices Consultation held at the Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Prime Minister also conveyed his well wishes to his counterpart Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He thanked Mr Kumar for his visit to Fiji during which, he had discussions with Fijian Government Ministers, on the potential areas of cooperation to be pursued between Fiji and India.
The Prime Minister welcomed the Government of India’s continued commitment to assist and support Fiji in various areas of development, including health and education, agriculture and sugar industry, trade and investment, and infrastructure, amongst others.
He said Fiji and India’s collaboration over the last fifty-two years have grown from strength to strength and this momentous achievement has been characterised by mutual understanding and respect for each other’s sovereignty, common development, and shared prosperity between the two countries.
The Prime Minister conveyed his appreciation to Prime Minister Modi for the support India has provided to Fiji during times of need, particularly through the provision of life-saving vaccines and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), and medical supplies.
He reaffirmed the Fijian Government’s commitment to work closely with India in pursuing initiatives in areas of socio-economic development, including health, education, agriculture, sugar industry, renewable energy, defence and security, trade, and investment, among others.
The Prime Minister said Fiji looks forward to hosting the 12th World Hindi Conference in the first quarter of next year and that Fiji is grateful for India’s support in coordinating this important meeting.
In addition, he noted that India and Fiji share great bonds of friendship and that Fiji looks forward to deepening meaningful engagements in the future.
In response, Mr Kumar congratulated Prime Minister Bainimarama for his exemplary leadership on global issues of climate, global and regional peace and security, and solidarity.
He said India and Fiji’s strengthened friendship and cooperation attest to our shared aspirations to build unified and prosperous nations, and India will continue to support the Fijian Government through all its efforts.
