PM Narendra Modi reached out to Fiji, trying to make up for the three-decade-long indifference towards the south Pacific nation -home to a big population of ethnic Indians -that is of strategic importance to India because of its location. In what was the first visit by an Indian PM since Indira Gandhi in 1981, Modi announced a $75-million line of credit for Fiji's sugar industry .
The assistance, significant because of Fiji's small size, comes days before Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit there. “It is a new day and a new beginning in our relations with Fiji,“ Modi said at a joint appearance with his counterpart Frank Bainimarama at the prime minister's office in capital Suva.
“Fiji could serve as a hub for stronger Indian engagement with Pacific islands. I see this visit as an opportunity to renew an old relationship and lay the foundation for a strong partnership in the future,” he added. During his meeting with Bainimarama, Modi sought greater security and defence cooperation with Fiji. Modi also announced a visa-on-arrival scheme for Fijians and assistance to projects, including a parliament library, and doubling the scholarships and training slots in India for Fijians.
The PM arrived in Fiji early morning on the third and final leg of his 10-day three-nation tour for a day-long visit. He addressed the Fijian parliament, the first by a foreign leader after parliamentary elections, during which he said India was prepared to work with Fiji to build a ‘Digital Fiji’.
The assistance, significant because of Fiji's small size, comes days before Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit there. “It is a new day and a new beginning in our relations with Fiji,“ Modi said at a joint appearance with his counterpart Frank Bainimarama at the prime minister's office in capital Suva.
“Fiji could serve as a hub for stronger Indian engagement with Pacific islands. I see this visit as an opportunity to renew an old relationship and lay the foundation for a strong partnership in the future,” he added. During his meeting with Bainimarama, Modi sought greater security and defence cooperation with Fiji. Modi also announced a visa-on-arrival scheme for Fijians and assistance to projects, including a parliament library, and doubling the scholarships and training slots in India for Fijians.
The PM arrived in Fiji early morning on the third and final leg of his 10-day three-nation tour for a day-long visit. He addressed the Fijian parliament, the first by a foreign leader after parliamentary elections, during which he said India was prepared to work with Fiji to build a ‘Digital Fiji’.
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