President Droupadi Murmu has expressed India’s eagerness to collaborate with Fiji to strengthen their partnership and achieve mutual prosperity. In her address to the Fijian Parliament, she highlighted India’s commitment to supporting Fiji in its priority areas, aiming to build a more robust, resilient, and prosperous nation together. Murmu emphasized that, as India continues to make its mark on the global stage, the two countries should leverage their partnership for the benefit of their peoples.
President Murmu noted the growing collaboration between India and Fiji across various sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, research, and renewable energy. She underscored the close relationship shared by the two nations and pointed out that their cooperation in areas such as agriculture, climate change, clean energy, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) has been progressively strengthening.
Murmu recalled that despite the geographical distance, the bond between India and Fiji has remained strong. She praised the role of India’s vaccine aid during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was crucial in Fiji’s successful vaccination campaign. The President also expressed satisfaction with the increased high-level engagements and people-centric initiatives between the two nations, including the recent announcement of a super-specialty cardiology hospital in Suva, which is expected to address the healthcare needs of Fiji and the wider Pacific region.
As India and Fiji celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations, Murmu highlighted the impressive growth in bilateral engagements, citing 15 ministerial-level visits in the past 18 months. The recent meeting between the prime ministers of both countries at the FIPIC-3 Summit in May 2023 has revitalized their bilateral relationship. Murmu expressed confidence that the new projects, particularly in healthcare, will significantly benefit Fiji.
Murmu also expressed her honor at being awarded the ‘Companion of the Order of Fiji,’ the highest civilian award of Fiji. She described the accolade as a testament to the deep friendship between the two nations. Reflecting on past shared values, Murmu recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech in the Fijian Parliament nearly a decade ago, which highlighted the common democratic principles and commitment to human rights that bind India and Fiji.
In her visit to Fiji, Murmu was warmly welcomed by President Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere and engaged in discussions to further enhance the India-Fiji relationship. She also witnessed the progress of the ‘Solarization of Heads of State Residences’ project, an Indian initiative launched the previous year. This visit marks a significant milestone, being the first-ever visit by an Indian President to Fiji, and is part of her broader trip that includes upcoming visits to New Zealand and Timor-Leste.
