At the invitation of India’s Minister for External Affairs, Shri Salman Khurshid, Fiji’s Foreign Minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola paid an official visit to India from 10 – 12 February for their biennial India-Fiji Foreign Office Consultations.
The series of meetings came to a close this week with high level talks between the two ministers on Wednesday afternoon in which they had wide ranging discussions on bilateral, regional and international issues of common interests to the two countries.
During the ministerial meeting, Minister Kubuabola provided an update on the political developments in Fiji in its preparations for democratic elections that will take place by September and also discussed the positive reforms that Government has put in place since in came into power in its efforts to build a better Fiji for all.
There was appreciation by both ministers on the importance that this year holds since both countries will be holding national elections.
Minister Kubuabola expressed that Fiji’s commitment to its bilateral relations with India as a long-term one, which is underpinned by historical cultural ties and enriched through good understanding and mutual respect.
“We share common interests and there are a lot of opportunities for cooperation and partnerships which ought to be explored fully to maximise the benefit of our relations.”
“Fiji has benefitted a lot from India through its bilateral assistance programmes and projects and we look forward to further enhancing our relations in the future,” Kubuabola said.
One of the highlights of the meeting was the signing of three MOUs on renewed development cooperation, water resource management and trade measurements and standards, which will foster greater cooperation between the two governments in these respective areas.
“The signing of these MOUs is a welcomed addition to the signing of the Double Taxation Agreement between Fiji’s Attorney General and Minister for Industry and Trade, Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and the Indian Finance Minister, Shri P. Chidambram last week”.
“There are other areas of cooperation which Fiji hopes to advance this year including sugar, youth and sports, reciprocal visa on arrival arrangements, capacity building programs, modern technological advances in agricultural productivity, defence, women and pharmaceuticals,” he added.
Progress has also been achieved on foreign office issues such as the land lease arrangements for the establishment of new chanceries for both countries in Suva and New Delhi respectively.
Minister Kubuabola thanked the Government of India for a successful outcome of the consultations and expressed the Fijian government’s continued support and commitment to deepen the bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Minister was accompanied by his Permanent Secretary, Mr Amena Yauvoli, Fiji’s High Commissioner to India, H.E Yogesh Karan and members of the Fijian delegation.
The next Fiji-India Foreign Office Consultation will be hosted by Fiji in 2016.
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