Cooperation between India and Fiji on a broad range of issues has been discussed during talks in New Delhi between the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, and his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi.
The two leaders met during the PM’s stopover in the Indian capital on his way to the United Nations World Humanitarian Summit in Turkey next week. Prime Minister Bainimarama - who described the talks as “warm and cordial” - stressed the importance of Fiji being able to access funds to strengthen its ability to withstand future events like Tropical Cyclone Winston.
“We ask for India’s support to gain access to the finance we need to build our resilience to the extreme weather events and rising sea levels caused by climate change. We urgently need funding to rebuild or reinforce our homes and infrastructure to prepare for the more frequent and intense cyclones that the scientists say are coming.”
The Prime Minister warmly thanked Mr Modi for India’s immediate support to Fiji in the wake of Cyclone Winston.
“We are deeply grateful for India’s generous response - the 45 tonnes of relief supplies that were flown to Fiji so quickly and the one million US dollars in cash for the relief effort. We especially appreciate India entrusting us to direct the cash where we saw fit to meet our own priorities. Because of your generosity and the speed of your response, the goodwill towards India among ordinary Fijians has never been greater”, the PM said.
For his part, the Indian leader expressed his condolences for the loss of life in Fiji and said India stood ready to provide all possible assistance in the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. He also reaffirmed his commitment to strengthen cooperation in disaster management with all Pacific Island countries, including through the establishment of a Space Technology Applications Centre for the region.
Prime Minister Bainimarama also asked India for assistance to boost Fiji’s solar energy program to enable it to meet its international commitment to reduce its carbon emissions by 30 per cent by 2030. India is an acknowledged leader in solar technology.
The Prime Minister is holding a series of high level meetings in India before he moves on to Turkey at the weekend to lead Fiji’s delegation to the World Humanitarian Summit. The subjects include new avenues of cooperation between India and Fiji in the energy and medical sectors.
(Photo source: India Ministry of External Affairs)