Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and his wife Mrs Sulueti Rabuka attended the 79th Independence Day celebration of the Republic of India, held at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva last night.
Speaking at the event, the Republic of India’s High Commissioner to Fiji, His Excellency Suneet Mehta, reflected on the deep-rooted friendship between India and Fiji, which this year marks 55 years of diplomatic relations.
High Commissioner Mehta emphasized that the relationship between the two nations is built on shared democratic values, strong people-to-people ties, and mutual respect.
“The Indian diaspora in Fiji, a community with origins dating back to the 19th century, has contributed immensely to the social, economic, and cultural fabric of this nation. In recent years, our ties have gained significant momentum through historic high-level engagements.”
He further noted the importance of recent exchanges between the two countries, including the State Visit by the Honourable President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji, to Fiji in August 2024, a defining moment in bilateral relations as it marked the first-ever visit by an Indian Head of State to Fiji.
High Commissioner Mehta also highlighted several transformative initiatives between India and Fiji, including:
The construction of a 100-bed Super Specialty Hospital—one of the largest health projects in the Pacific, which will commence soon.
The signing of an MOU on Pharmacopeial Cooperation, paving the way for strengthened pharmaceutical standards and affordable access to medicines across the Pacific.
Meanwhile, Chief of Protocol Mrs. Kiti Temo commended the Government and people of India for their unwavering support to Fiji over the years. She stated that India has been a steadfast development partner, contributing not only to health and education but also to capacity building and technological advancement.
Mrs. Temo further reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, adding that Fiji looks forward to expanding cooperation in areas of trade, renewable energy, and cultural exchange.
The event was attended by cabinet ministers, members of the diplomatic corps and members of the Indian diaspora.
