President Droupadi Murmu Meets Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka to Strengthen Ties
Suva, Fiji – President Droupadi Murmu held a meeting with Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on Tuesday. The two leaders discussed ways to build upon historic ties and strengthen the partnership between India and Fiji.
In a post on X, the President of India stated, “Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji called on President Droupadi Murmu. Both leaders held wide-ranging discussions and agreed to build upon the historic ties and strengthen the partnership between the two countries.”
Earlier in the day, President Murmu was received by her Fijian counterpart Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere at the State House in Suva. They discussed how to further deepen the India-Fiji relationship. President Murmu, who is on her State visit to Fiji, was also given a traditional ceremonial welcome.
President Murmu also witnessed the progress of the ‘Solarization of Heads of State Residences’ project, an Indian initiative that was inaugurated in February last year.
Upon her arrival in Fiji, President Murmu was received by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at the airport with full state honors. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated, “An important milestone in India – Fiji partnership! President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Suva on the first-ever visit by the President of India to Fiji. In a special gesture, PM Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji received President Murmu at the Nausori Airport with full state honors.”
President Murmu embarked on a three-day visit to Fiji at the invitation of Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere. Following Fiji, she is scheduled to visit New Zealand and Timor-Leste. This visit marks the first-ever visit by a Head of State from India to Fiji and reflects India’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Fiji.
On the second leg of her visit, President Murmu will visit New Zealand from August 7-9 at the invitation of New Zealand’s Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro. She will hold a bilateral meeting with Governor General Kiro and meet Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. She will also address an education conference and interact with the Indian community.
On August 10, President Murmu will visit Timor-Leste at the invitation of President Jose Ramos-Horta. She will hold a bilateral meeting with President Horta and Timor-Leste PM Kay Rala “Xanana” Gusmao. This will be the first-ever Head of State visit from India to Timor-Leste.
The State Visit by President Murmu to Fiji, New Zealand, and Timor-Leste underscores the importance India attaches to its bilateral relations with these countries and reflects India’s strong focus on the Act East Policy announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014.
Doubts Revealed
Droupadi Murmu -: Droupadi Murmu is the President of India. She is the head of the country and represents India in important meetings and events.
Fiji -: Fiji is a small island country in the Pacific Ocean. It is known for its beautiful beaches and friendly people.
Prime Minister -: The Prime Minister is the leader of the government in a country. In Fiji, the Prime Minister is Sitiveni Rabuka.
State honors -: State honors are special ceremonies and greetings given to important visitors, like presidents or prime ministers, to show respect and welcome them.
Solarization of Heads of State Residences -: This is a project to use solar energy to power the homes of important leaders. Solar energy comes from the sun and is a clean way to get electricity.
New Zealand -: New Zealand is a country near Australia, known for its beautiful landscapes and friendly people.
Timor-Leste -: Timor-Leste is a small country in Southeast Asia. It is also known as East Timor.
Bilateral relations -: Bilateral relations are the connections and cooperation between two countries. It means they work together on different issues and help each other.
Act East Policy -: The Act East Policy is India’s plan to improve relations with countries in East and Southeast Asia. It aims to strengthen trade, security, and cultural ties.
