India to build Super-Speciality Hospital in Fiji; 7 MoUs signed
New Delhi: India will provide training and equipment to upgrade Fiji's maritime security, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Monday. As part of strengthening bilateral relations, the two countries also signed several agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
Welcoming visiting Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Mr. Modi said India and Fiji “strongly support a free, open” Indo-Pacific region as both sides declared that India would work to build capacity for the armed forces of Fiji.
“In our cooperation with the Pacific island nations, we see Fiji as a hub. Both our countries strongly support a free, open, inclusive, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. We warmly welcome India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative,” Mr. Modi said, announcing the collaboration between India and the Fijian military forces, news agency PTI reported.
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A joint statement issued at the end of the consultation said the two sides emphasised the importance of their “shared interests in advancing regional peace, stability, and prosperity”. “Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to advancing the priority areas of cooperation outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] on Defence Cooperation signed in 2017, and to supporting Fiji’s strategic priorities in these areas,” the joint statement said.
The two sides agreed to work together on U.N. peacekeeping operations, military medicine, the White Shipping Information Exchange, and capacity-building for Fijian military forces.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rabuka emphasised the need to protect Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone and welcomed India’s assurance to assist with Fiji’s security needs. “Prime Minister Rabuka welcomed the planned port call by an Indian naval ship to Fiji, which will enhance maritime cooperation and interoperability,” the joint statement said.
Mr. Modi also announced the gifting of two ambulances to Fiji’s military forces and the inauguration of the defence wing in the High Commission of India in the Fijian capital, Suva. The two sides also agreed to enhance cooperation in cybersecurity and welcomed the setting up of a cybersecurity training cell in Fiji. Both sides agreed to collaborate on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and in advanced technology sectors.
Mr. Rabuka had earlier in July opposed China’s reported plans to establish a naval base in the Pacific islands, and had been urging caution over the fallout of military tensions in the South China Sea on the Pacific islands. As a signal to the Chinese side, the joint statement also called for a “free, open, secure and inclusive Indo-Pacific region”.
Mr. Modi acknowledged the contribution of Indian indentured labourers, who went from India to Fiji from 1879 to 1916, and became a part of Fijian society. “They have added a new colour to the social and cultural diversity of Fiji, and have continuously strengthened the unity and integrity of the nation,” Mr. Modi said.
During the delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House here, India and Fiji signed seven MoUs that included an agreement on building a super-speciality hospital in Fiji, and one on migration and mobility. Both leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation against terrorism and reiterated their condemnation of the terror attack of April 20 in Pahalgam.
Mr. Modi reaffirmed India’s support for the establishment of Jan Aushadhi Kendras (‘people’s pharmacies’) in Fiji to supply low-cost generic medicines. As part of strengthening bilateral relations, India will provide specialised/tertiary medical care in Indian hospitals for up to 10 Fijians under the ‘Heal in India’ programme to support Fiji’s overseas medical referral programme.
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