Your Excellency Prime Minister Rabuka,
Delegates from both countries,
Friends from the media,
Namskaar!
Bula Vinaka!
I warmly welcome Prime Minister Rabuka and his delegation to India.
In 2014, an Indian Prime Minister visited Fiji after 33 years. I feel very happy and proud to have had this good fortune.
At the time, we launched the Forum for India–Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC). This initiative has not only strengthened India–Fiji relations but also our ties with the entire Pacific region. Today, with Prime Minister Rabuka’s visit, we are writing a new chapter in our partnership.
Friends,
India and Fiji share a deep bond of friendship. In the 19th century, over sixty thousand indentured Indian brothers and sisters went to Fiji, and contributed to its prosperity through their hard work and dedication. They have added new colour to the social and cultural diversity of Fiji, and have continuously strengthened the unity and integrity of the nation.
And through all this, they also remained connected to their roots and preserved their culture. The tradition of Fiji's Ramayana Mandali is a living proof of this. I welcome the announcement of 'Girmit Day' by Prime Minister Rabuka. This is a tribute to our shared history. It is a tribute to the memories of our past generations.
Friends,
In our extensive discussions today, we made several important decisions. We believe that only a healthy nation can be a prosperous one. Therefore, a 100-bed super specialty hospital will be built in Suva. Dialysis units and sea ambulances will also be sent. Jan Aushadhi Kendras will be opened to provide affordable, high-quality medicines to every home. To ensure that no one is held back in the race for their dreams, a ‘Jaipur Foot’ camp will also be organized in Fiji.
In the field of agriculture, cowpea seeds sent from India are growing very well in Fiji’s soil. India will also gift 12 agri-drones and 2 mobile soil testing labs. We applaud the Fijian government for approving Indian Ghee in Fiji.
Friends,
We have decided to strengthen our cooperation in defence and security. An action plan has been prepared for this. India will provide cooperation in training and equipment, to improve Fiji’s maritime security. We are also ready to share our experience in cyber security and data protection.
We are unanimous that terrorism is a huge challenge for the entire humanity. We express our gratitude to Prime Minister Rabuka and the Government of Fiji for their cooperation and support in our fight against terrorism.
Friends,
Sports is a field that connects people from the ground to the mind. Rugby in Fiji and Cricket in India are examples. Waisale Serevi, the ‘Star of Rugby Sevens,’ coached the Indian rugby team. Now, an Indian coach is set to take the Fiji cricket team to new heights.
We have decided to send Indian teachers to teach Hindi and Sanskrit in the University of Fiji. Fijian Pandits will come to India for leaning, and take part in the Gita Mahotsav. This will deepen our connection from language to culture.
Friends,
Climate change poses a critical threat to Fiji. In this context, we are working together in the field of renewable energy, particularly solar energy. We stand together in the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and the Global Biofuels Alliance. Going forward, we will also extend our cooperation to strengthen Fiji’s disaster response capabilities.
Friends,
In our cooperation with the Pacific Island nations, we see Fiji as a hub. Both our countries strongly support a free, open, inclusive, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Prime Minister’s vision of "Oceans of Peace” is indeed a very positive and forward-looking approach. We warmly welcome Fiji’s association with India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
India and Fiji may be oceans apart, but our aspirations sail in the same boat.
We are fellow travellers in the development journey of the Global South. Together, we are partners in shaping a world order where independence, ideas, and identity of the Global South are accorded due respect.
We believe that no voice should be ignored, and no nation should be left behind!
Excellency,
From the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, our partnership is a bridge across the seas. It is rooted in Veilomani, and built on trust and respect.
Your visit further strengthens this enduring bond. We deeply value your friendship.
Vinaka Vakalevu
2014 में, 33 वर्षों बाद किसी भारतीय प्रधानमंत्री ने फिजी की धरती पर कदम रखा था।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 25, 2025
मुझे बहुत खुशी और गर्व है कि ये सौभाग्य मुझे मिला था।
उस समय हमने Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation, यानि FIPIC की शुरुआत की थी।
उस पहल ने न केवल भारत–फिजी रिश्तों को, बल्कि पूरे पैसिफिक…
भारत और फिजी के बीच आत्मीयता का गहरा नाता है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 25, 2025
19वीं सदी में, भारत से गए साठ हजार से अधिक गिरमिटिया भाई–बहनों ने अपने परिश्रम और पसीने से फिजी की समृधि में योगदान दिया है।
उन्होंने फिजी की सामाजिक और सांस्कृतिक विविधता में नए रंग भरे हैं: PM @narendramodi
प्रधानमंत्री रम्बुका द्वारा ‘गिरमिट डे’ की घोषणा का मैं अभिनन्दन करता हूँ।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 25, 2025
ये हमारे साझा इतिहास का सम्मान है।
हमारी पिछली पीढ़ियों की स्मृतियों को श्रद्धांजलि है: PM @narendramodi
हम मानते हैं कि एक स्वस्थ राष्ट्र ही समृद्ध राष्ट्र हो सकता है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 25, 2025
इसलिए हमने तय किया कि ‘सुवा’ में 100- bed सुपर स्पेशलिटी अस्पताल बनाया जायेगा।
डायलिसिस यूनिट्स और sea ambulances भेजीं जाएँगी।
और, जन औषधि केंद्र खोले जायेंगे, जिससे सस्ती और उत्तम quality की दवा हर घर तक…
हमने रक्षा और सुरक्षा क्षेत्र में आपसी सहयोग को मजबूत करने का निर्णय लिया है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 25, 2025
इसके लिए एक action plan तैयार किया गया है ।
फिजी की Maritime security को सशक्त करने के लिए भारत से ट्रेनिंग और इक्विपमेंट में सहयोग दिया जाएगा: PM @narendramodi
साइबर सिक्योरिटी, और डेटा protection के क्षेत्रों में हम अपने अनुभव साझा करने के लिए तैयार हैं।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 25, 2025
हम एकमत हैं कि आतंकवाद पूरी मानवता के लिए बहुत बड़ी चुनौती है: PM @narendramodi
हमने तय किया है कि फिजी यूनिवर्सिटी में हिंदी और संस्कृत पढ़ाने के लिए भारतीय शिक्षक भेजा जायेगा।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 25, 2025
और फिजी के पंडित भारत आकर प्रशिक्षण लेंगे और गीता महोत्सव में भी भाग लेंगे।
यानी, language से culture तक रिश्ते और अधिक गहरे होंगे: PM @narendramodi
Climate change फिजी के लिए क्रिटिकल threat है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 25, 2025
इस संदर्भ में हम renewable energy, खासकर सौर ऊर्जा में साथ मिलकर काम कर रहे हैं ।
इंटरनेशनल सोलर अलायन्स, coalition for disaster resilient infrastructure और ग्लोबल biofuels अलायन्स में हम एक साथ हैं।
अब हम Disaster response में भी…
India and Fiji may be oceans apart, but our aspirations sail in the same boat.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 25, 2025
हम ग्लोबल साउथ की विकास यात्रा में भी सहयात्री हैं।
हम एक ऐसे world order के निर्माण में भागीदार हैं,
जहाँ Global South के independence, ideas और identity को सम्मान मिले।
We believe that no voice…
