Fiji's Prime Minister pays a visit to President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan

In a significant development, Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada concluded a productive visit to India, during which he held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

The leaders exchanged views on regional and international developments, reiterating their shared commitment to peace, climate justice, inclusive development, and amplifying the voice of the Global South. They also expressed appreciation for the valued mutual support extended in multilateral forums.

Fiji expressed its support for India's candidature for the UNSC non-permanent membership for the term 2028-29. The Pacific Islands Forum and various small island developing states also backed Fiji in its bid for the same.

During the discussions, several significant decisions were made. A hospital for Fiji, training of cricketers and Pandits from Fiji, India sending Hindi and Sanskrit teachers to Fiji, and the announcement to give agriculture drones to the country were among the decisions announced.

Prime Minister Modi and his Fijian counterpart addressed a joint press conference following their bilateral talks, where PM Modi stated that the aspirations of India and Fiji "sail in the same boat."

India and Fiji agreed to work together at the UN and other multilateral fora to combat terrorism. Both leaders agreed on the urgent need for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation against terrorism and counter radicalisation, combat financing of terrorism, prevent the exploitation of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes, and tackle terrorist recruitment and transnational organised crime.

The leaders reaffirmed the continued strengthening of South-South cooperation as a necessary step in effectively addressing contemporary global challenges. They also agreed to work together on issues of common concern to the Global South, including enhanced, equitable representation in institutions of global governance.

PM Rabuka's official visit to India started on Sunday and will continue until August 26. During his visit, he met with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday.

In a joint statement issued after their meeting, the leaders strongly condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack and rejected double standards on terrorism.

The visit marks a significant step forward in the relationship between India and Fiji, with both countries reaffirming their commitment to work together in the spirit of mutual respect and cooperation.