After holding in-depth discussions with Fiji counterpart Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned India will help Fiji to take care of catastrophe response contemplating local weather change as a menace to them, noting that each nations possibly oceans aside; nonetheless they share similar aspirations, whereas deciding to strengthen defence ties.
“Local weather change is menace for Fiji; we’ll assist it take care of catastrophe response. India and Fiji could also be oceans aside, however our aspirations sail in the identical boat,” PM Modi mentioned. He added that India and Fiji are dedicated to free, inclusive, open, safe and affluent India-Pacific.
He additional mentioned, “We have now determined to strengthen mutual cooperation within the defence and safety sector.” After the discussions between Modi and Rabuka, the 2 international locations signed seven agreements to increase cooperation throughout varied sectors.
India on Fiji’s maritime safety
Fiji holds strategic significance for India within the space of maritime safety, in accordance with the media assertion, mentioning, amid China’s ongoing push to extend its affect within the Pacific, India has been looking for to strengthen its defence cooperation with Fiji.
India will give coaching and gear help to spice up Fiji’s maritime safety, PM Modi introduced. An motion plan has been made for this, he acknowledged, a PTI report famous.
PM Modi highlighted India’s key focus areas for the International South, stating that India is a associate within the area’s improvement journey. He asserted, “We’re companions in constructing a world order the place the independence, concepts and identification of the International South are revered.”
Rabuka landed in Delhi on 24 August on a three-day journey, which marks his first India go to to India because the prime minister of the South Pacific nation.
India and Fiji share deep-rooted cultural and people-to-people connections, relationship again to 1879 when Indian labourers had been dropped at Fiji beneath the British indenture system. Prime Minister Rabuka’s go to to India follows President Droupadi Murmu’s journey to Fiji final yr, highlighting the continued high-level engagement between the 2 nations.
In line with an official Indian assertion launched on Thursday, Rabuka’s go to displays the longstanding and resilient partnership between India and Fiji. It acknowledged, “It reaffirms the continued dedication of each international locations to additional strengthen the bilateral relationship throughout all sectors and deepen our shut people-to-people ties.”
As a part of his ongoing engagements, the Fijian chief is ready to present a lecture at Sapru Home on August 26, an occasion organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs, ANI reported. His go to will come to an finish along with his departure from Delhi on August 27.
(With inputs from ANI and PTI)
