India and Fiji may be oceans apart, but aspirations of both the nations sail in the same boat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday, with his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka by his side. Rabuka is on a three-day official visit to India, his first since taking over as the prime minister of the South Pacific nation in 2022. As the two leaders met in New Delhi on Monday, India and Fiji unveiled significant initiatives to bolster defence and maritime security cooperation, including the creation of a Defence Attache post at the High Commission of India in Suva, who will be covering the Pacific Islands as well. According to the Joint Statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) after the bilateral talks, “there is a growing momentum in bilateral ties aimed at promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region”, including a planned port call by an Indian naval ship to Fiji this year. PM Modi also announced the gifting of two sea ambulances to Fijian Military Forces and the establishment of a Cyber Security Training Cell in Fiji, and expressed support to PM Rabuka’s ‘Ocean of Peace’ initiative. “Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening defence cooperation through new initiatives aimed at accelerating bilateral defence efforts.” the statement read. In his address, PM Rabuka welcomed India’s assurance to support the security of Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the planned naval port call, which will enhance maritime cooperation and interoperability. The leaders underscored the importance of a “free, open, secure, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region”, announcing their intent to collaborate on strengthening regional maritime security, the statement added. It also emphasised cooperation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, military medicine, white shipping information exchange, and capacity building for Fiji’s military. MEA Secretary (South) Neena Malhotra reiterated both nations’ focus on defence and security cooperation in the region. “We are essentially focusing on enhancing the maritime capabilities of Fiji so that they could deal with the challenges of security in the region, which is also disaster management because their countries are vulnerable to natural disasters and cyclones,” Malhotra said. As part of the visit, New Delhi and Suva also exchanged nine agreements and MoUs, including one on the construction, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of a super-speciality hospital in Fiji; and an agreement on supply of medicines under the Jan Aushadhi scheme. A declaration of intent on migration and mobility was also exchanged, Malhotra said. Later, PM Rabuka called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. On Tuesday, PM Rabuka will visit the UIDAI HQs, the National Defence College, and a Jan Aushadhi Kendra. He will also deliver a talk on ‘Ocean of Peace’ at the Indian Council of World Affairs.
