Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has met with President Droupadi Murmu of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan, providing an opportunity for the two leaders to reaffirm the deep bonds of friendship, shared history and enduring cooperation between Fiji and India.
Rabuka says the visit has set the strategic platform for enhanced cooperation, covering all facets of development aspirations.
Discussions during the meeting touched on issues of mutual interest, including education, the health sector, infrastructure development and regional and multilateral cooperation.
The President, in her response, stated that India remains committed to strengthening its relations and development partnership with the Pacific Island Countries, among which Fiji remains a special partner.
Both leaders expressed confidence that this visit would open new avenues for cooperation, which would benefit the people of both countries.
India’s relations with Fiji have been growing from strength to strength, particularly since the historic visit of the late Indira Gandhi in 1981, which was the first visit to Fiji by an Indian Prime Minister, followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit in 2014.
In recognition of the shared history and culture, the Coalition Government legislated Girmit Day as a Public Holiday for the first time in Fiji to pay respect and homage to the Indian diaspora’s significant contributions to our socio-economic development and nation building.
The Girmit Day also commemorates the special cultural links and enduring bonds we have shared for generations with your great country.
