Fiji and India Reaffirm Partnership

Prime Minister Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka and India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh met yesterday to discuss prospects for greater development cooperation between Fiji and India. The leaders discussed #Fiji and #India’s cooperation in the build up to the third Forum for India and Pacific Island Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit in Papua New Guinea (PNG) next week.

Prime Minister Rabuka acknowledged the proud history and cultural links shared by the two nations since the arrival of first indentured labourers on our shores in 1879.

He also thanked Minister Singh for his first visit to Fiji to commemorate the Fiji’s first Girmit Day celebrations.

Prime Minister Rabuka looks forward to meeting Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in PNG next week, saying it will be an opportunity to further enhance Fiji and India’s regional cooperation on issues of common interest. India’s Minister of State Hon. Singh conveyed his deep appreciation to Prime Minister Rabuka for a very productive meeting.

Hon. Singh also conveyed that India is keen to participate at the FIPIC Summit.

He commended Prime Minister Rabuka’s exemplary leadership in building national unity and promoting inclusivity and diversity through initiatives such as the Girmit Day celebrations.

Hon. Singh said since the formation of the new government in Fiji, there have been a number of high level meetings between the two countries which have set the momentum and direction of Fiji and India’s mutual relations.

Hon. Administrator (Union Territories of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu and Lakshadweep) Shri Praful Patel was also present during the meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister. The discussions outlined prospects for collaboration in key areas of development such as education, health, agriculture, small, medium and micro enterprises, information technology, renewable energy, climate change and capacity building.