New Delhi, India — The Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, Hon. Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, called on the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan today.
Welcoming Prime Minister Rabuka and his delegation, President Murmu fondly recalled her State Visit to Fiji in August 2024, where she was greeted with a traditional welcome by indigenous elders. She also highlighted her interactions with the Indian-origin community in Fiji, praising their role in strengthening the deep-rooted ties between the two countries.
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Underscoring the enduring friendship between India and Fiji, the President said the contributions of the Girmitiya community have not only cemented bilateral bonds but also shaped Fiji’s multicultural identity and diverse economy.
President Murmu emphasized India’s commitment to Fiji’s socio-economic development, particularly in areas of health, training, capacity building, and climate resilience. She welcomed the signing of an MoU to establish a Super-Speciality Hospital in Fiji, calling it a milestone in healthcare cooperation.
Highlighting the importance of digital transformation, President Murmu noted that India’s experiences with UPI payment systems, Jan Dhan financial inclusion, and Aadhaar could serve as useful models for Fiji’s own development. She also stressed the role of ITEC training programmes in building capacities among Fijian officials.
The President further underlined India’s vision of closer engagement with the Pacific Island Countries (PICs), affirming that Fiji remains a “special partner” in the region.
Both leaders expressed satisfaction over the growing momentum in India–Fiji relations and voiced confidence that the visit would open new avenues of cooperation for the benefit of both peoples.
Meanwhile, in a joint statement following Prime Minister Rabuka’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two leaders condemned in the strongest terms the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. They reiterated their commitment to “zero tolerance” against terrorism and rejected any double standards on the issue.
The statement further said both countries recognized the need to counter radicalisation, curb terror financing, prevent misuse of emerging technologies by extremist groups, and strengthen cooperation against transnational organized crime through joint efforts and capacity building.
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