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PM Modi's remarks during the joint press meet with Fiji PM Rabuka

Published By : Admin | August 25, 2025 | 12:30 IST

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

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List of Outcomes: State Visit of President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to India
May 06, 2026

MoU / Agreement

SI No.TitleBrief description
1. MoU on Mutual Cooperation between IREL (India) Ltd. and Institute for Technology of Radioactive and Rare Elements (ITRRE) of Vietnam MoU formalizes the long-standing commitment on both sides to expand bilateral cooperation in the areas of rare earth elements, among other new-age technologies.
2. Cultural Exchange Programme between Ministry of Culture, India and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam for 2026-30 A Cultural Agreement was signed between India and Vietnam in 1976. The specific activities and exchanges to be carried out under this agreement are agreed upon within the framework of a Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) valid for a period of five years (2026-2030).
3. MOU between Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) on Cooperation in the area of Payment Systems and Innovation in Digital Payments The MoU aims to establish a framework for cooperation in the area of financial innovation and digital payments.
4. MoU between Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India and Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV), Ministry of Health of Vietnam on Cooperation in the field of Medical Products Regulation The MoU seeks to establish a framework for cooperation in the field of medical products regulation, including pharmaceuticals, biological products, medical devices, and cosmetics.
5. MoU on Establishment of Friendship and Cooperation between Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Mumbai and Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee The Agreement aims to establish a formal framework for enabling both megacities to share expertise in urban management and economic development.
6. MoU between ICCR and Univesity of Science and Education – The Da Nang University on the Establishment of the ICCR Chair of India Studies The MoU establishes an ICCR Chair in the University of Da Nang in Vietnam.
7. MoU between Nalanda University, Rajgir, and Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), Hanoi This MoU strengthens the longstanding initiatives of India to facilitate capacity building & training to Vietnam.
8. MoU between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India and the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam on Cooperation in the Field of Digital Technologies This MoU deepens bilateral commitment to strengthen cooperation in Digital Technologies and IT domain.
9. MoU between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS) This MoU establishes institutional linkages between India’s NIPL and Vietnam’s NAPAS on Cross Border QR code interoperability to enable payments.
10. MOU between the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and the State Audit Office of Vietnam in the field of Public Sector Audit This MoU renews the 2010 MoU between the two Audit institutions of India and Vietnam and makes it more flexible and dynamic.
11. MOU between Ministry of Tourism of India and Ministry of Sports, Culture and Tourism of Vietnam on Cooperation in the field of Tourism. This MoU promotes people-to-people linkages between the two countries.
12. MoU between ICCR and University of Social Sciences and Humanities on the establishment of the ICCR Chair of Indian Studies The MoU establishes an ICCR Chair in the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
13. MoU between Gyan Bharatam, Ministry of Culture & University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (USSH, VNUHCM) on Digitization of Cham Manuscripts The MoU establishes institutional linkages between NMM, Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts and USSH, VNUHCM for survey, documentation, conservation, digitisation and online dissemination of Cham manuscripts of Indian origin currently preserved in Vietnam.

Announcements

SI No.Title
1. Elevation of bilateral ties to Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
2. New trade goal of USD 25 billion by 2030
3. Vietnam joining the Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)
4. Announcement of export of Indian grapes to Vietnam and Vietnamese Durian to India
5. Establishment of the Site Interpretation Centre at UNESCO World Heritage Site at My Son