President Droupadi Murmu met with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on Tuesday, marking a significant step in strengthening diplomatic ties between the two nations. The leaders engaged in wide-ranging discussions and committed to building upon their countries’ historic relationship.
President Murmu, who is on a state visit to Fiji—the first by an Indian head of state—was earlier received by Fijian President Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere at the State House in Suva. The Indian President was accorded a traditional ceremonial welcome upon her arrival.
In a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “An important milestone in India – Fiji partnership! President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn arrived in Suva on the first-ever visit by the President of India to Fiji. In a special gesture, PM @slrabuka of Fiji received President Murmu at the Nausori Airport with full state honors.”
During her visit, President Murmu also inspected the progress of the ‘Solarization of Heads of State Residences’ project, an Indian initiative launched in February 2023.
The visit to Fiji is the first leg of President Murmu’s three-nation tour, which also includes stops in New Zealand and Timor-Leste. This diplomatic mission underscores India’s commitment to its Act East Policy, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi a decade ago.
In New Zealand, scheduled from August 7-9, President Murmu will meet with Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. She is also set to address an education conference and interact with the Indian community.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that these state visits reflect India’s strong focus on strengthening bilateral relations with these countries and underscore the importance of the Act East Policy in India’s diplomatic strategy.
In an earlier press release, MEA stated, “The State Visit by President Murmu to Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste underscore the importance India attaches to our bilateral relations with these countries and reflects our strong focus on the Act East Policy which was announced by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ten years ago at the 9th East Asia Summit in 2014.”
The final leg of her tour will take her to Timor-Leste on August 10, where she will meet with President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Kay Rala “Xanana” Gusmao. This visit will mark the first-ever by an Indian head of state to Timor-Leste.
(Inputs from ANI)