Droupadi Murmu, President of India, reached Suva, Fiji on August 6, 2024 from Nadi where she landed on August 5, 2024 on the first leg of her State Visit to Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste. She was received by Sitiveni Rabuka, Prime Minister of Fiji at the airport and accorded ceremonial welcome. This is the first-ever visit by an Indian Head of State to Fiji. President Murmu is accompanied on this visit by Minister of State Shri George Kurian, and Lok Sabha MPs, Saumitra Khan and Jugal Kishore, informed Prime Minister’s Office, PIB.
President Murmu was honoured with a traditional welcome ceremony in the presence of the Prime Minister of Fiji, followed by a visit to the State House warmly received by President Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere of Fiji. The two leaders discussed ways to further deepen the India-Fiji relationship, whereby, President Murmu reaffirmed that India remains committed to strengthening relations and development partnership with the Pacific Island Countries (PICs), among which Fiji is an important partner.
At the State House, “the President of Fiji conferred the highest civilian award of Fiji – Companion of the Order of Fiji – upon President Droupadi Murmu. President Murmu also witnessed the progress of the ‘Solarisation of Heads of State Residences’ project, an Indian initiative which was inaugurated in February last year,” stated the press release.
The President also addressed the Parliament of Fiji, in which she highlighted that India and Fiji have much in common, including the “vibrant democracies” despite the size differences. She assured the Fijian parliamentarians that, “as a close friend and partner with rich experience of fostering democracy at the grassroots level, India stands ready to partner Fiji at all times.”
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Further, she also remarked that in the current age, Fiji plays an instrumental role in combating two major global challenges – climate change and addressing human conflicts. She stated that Fiji is recognized globally for its growing contribution, “whether it is shaping the global dialogue on climate change or voicing the concerns of the ocean-states, Fiji has been contributing immensely to the global good.” She added that India acknowledges and applauds the growing prominence of Fiji on a global scale.
The President also commended the unique and gentle Fijian way of life highlighting “the deep-rooted respect for traditions and customs and an open and multicultural environment,” suggesting that the world could take away from such values. She noted with glee the growing cooperation in various sectors between India-Fiji. The President said that, “as a powerful voice of the Global South, India will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Fiji and other ocean states for climate justice.”
Following the subsequent engagement, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji called on President Droupadi Murmu, where the two leaders held wide-ranging discussions and agreed to build upon the historic ties and strengthen the partnership between the two countries. The President reaffirmed India’s stance to continue “deepening its development partnership with Fiji, with a focus on building climate resilience and development of clean and renewable energy.”
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka also presided over a ceremony for handing over of documents for allocation of project sites for (i) High Commission of India Chancery and Indian Cultural Centre Complex, Suva and (ii) 100-bed Super Speciality Hospital, Suva.
The President also addressed a gathering of the Indian diaspora community where she commended the determination and resilience of the ‘Girmitiya’ indentured labourers who came to Fiji 145 years ago, and flourished in their new motherland against all odds. She further lauded them as a source of great inspiration to the world. The President stated, ‘We see our overseas Indian community across the world as important partners and stakeholders in the journey of building the India of our dreams.”
Celebrating the President’s achievement, Narendra Modi Prime Minister, congratulated the President on the social media platform X, “Congratulations to Rashtrapati Ji on being bestowed the highest civilian award of Fiji, Companion of the Order of Fiji. This is a moment of immense pride and joy for every Indian. It is also a recognition of Rashtrapati Ji’s leadership as well as the historic people-to-people connect between India and Fiji.”
During the engagement, President Murmu also visited the National War Memorial in Suva to honour the memory of martyred soldiers. She also visited Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School, where she paid floral tributes at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi.
In the last official engagement of the day, President Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere of Fiji hosted a reception in honour of President Murmu at State House, bringing together eminent Fijians from all walks of life. In her remarks on the occasion, the President thanked President Katonivere, Prime Minister Rabuka and the Government and people of Fiji for the warm welcome extended to her.
After the successful completion of official engagements in Suva, the President left for Nadi from where she will emplane for Auckland, New Zealand.
