India, Fiji Forge Closer Ties With New Agreements & Partnerships
Leaders of Both Nations Discuss a Wide Spectrum of Bilateral and Global Issues, Condemn Terrorism, and Affirm a Forward-Looking Partnership in the Spirit of Veilomani Dosti.
- Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka paid a three-day official visit to India.
- Leaders signed an MoU for a 100-bed super-specialty hospital in Suva.
- New agreements were made on defense, trade, and climate change.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 25th Aug: The Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, completed a three-day official visit to India, holding extensive discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The two leaders affirmed their shared commitment to building a forward-looking partnership across multiple sectors, as outlined in their joint statement titled, “Partnership in the spirit of Veilomani Dosti.”
A cornerstone of the visit was the reaffirmation of shared values and people-to-people ties. The leaders acknowledged the historic contribution of the Girmitiya community to Fiji’s multicultural identity.
The visit also saw the signing of a major Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to design, construct, and operate a 100-bedded Super-Specialty Hospital in Suva, which will be the largest project undertaken by India in the Pacific region under its Grant-in-Aid Programme.
The leaders also agreed to strengthen cooperation on a number of key fronts. In the area of health, Prime Minister Modi announced the organization of a second Jaipur Foot Camp in Fiji and a plan to provide specialized medical care to up to 10 Fijian citizens in Indian hospitals.
For the agricultural sector, India will gift 12 agricultural drones and two mobile soil testing laboratories to support Fiji’s sugar industry.
Defence and security were also a central focus of the discussions. Prime Minister Modi announced the gifting of two ambulances to the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the establishment of a defense wing at the Indian High Commission in Suva.
Both leaders condemned the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack and committed to joint efforts to combat terrorism, radicalization, and transnational organized crime. Fiji also reiterated its support for India’s candidature as a permanent member of a reformed and expanded UN Security Council.
The partnership also includes new areas of collaboration, with the leaders agreeing to work together on climate action and promote biofuels as a sustainable energy solution.
Both sides welcomed Fiji’s membership in the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA).
The nations also announced agreements to deepen cooperation in cyber security, trade, and cultural exchange, including the deputation of a Hindi-cum-Sanskrit teacher to the University of Fiji to promote linguistic and cultural ties.
