- Title: FIJI-INDIAN PM Indian PM arrives in Fiji agreeing to strengthen old ties
- Date: 19th November 2014
- Summary: SUVA, FIJI (NOVEMBER 19, 2014) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI - NO ACCESS BBC) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** INDIAN AND FIJIAN OFFICIALS SIGNING DOCUMENTS / MODI AND BAINIMARAMA STANDING BEHIND OFFICIALS EXCHANGING DOCUMENTS / OFFICIALS, MODI AND BAINIMARAMA SHAKING HANDS OFFICIALS OF INDIA AND FIJI EXCHANGING DOCUMENTS ANOTHER DOCUMENT BEING SIGNED AND CLOSED MORE OF OFFICIALS EXCHANGING DOCUMENTS / OFFICIALS, MODI AND BAINIMARAMA SHAKING HANDS MODI AND BAINIMARAMA GOING TOWARDS RESPECTIVE PODIUMS BEFORE SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) INDIAN PRIME MINISTER, NARENDRA MODI, SAYING: "We agreed to consult more closely on international issues of mutual interests, including international trade, climate change, United Nations Peacekeeping and UN reforms." MODI AND BAINIMARAMA STANDING AT THEIR RESPECTIVE PODIUMS (SOUNDBITE) (English) FIJI PRIME MINISTER, FRANK BAINIMARAMA, SAYING: "We are pleased that our relationship with India is growing and we are proud to have India as a partner in Fiji's future." OFFICIALS LEAVING
- Embargoed: 5th December 2014 08:57
- Keywords:
- Location: Fiji
- Country: Fiji
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVAA4K3O7V4NCXL4U8FNSMEOXF0S
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Indian's Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Fiji on Wednesday (November 19) to a ceremonial welcome, before attending a meeting agreeing to renew old ties and strengthen cooperation.
Modi was welcomed at Suva airport by Fiji's newly elected former army chief, Prime Minister Voreqe "Frank" Bainimarama, and other dignitaries.
The visit is the first by an Indian premier to the South Pacific nation in 33 years, and is the last leg of his three-nation ten-day tour after a hectic four-city visit to Australia.
Modi received a pop star's reception in Australia and excitement was said to be high amongst Fiji's large Indian minority, according to local media reports.
Later on Wednesday, India and Fiji signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and called for a stronger cooperation between the two countries.
Addressing Indian and Fiji delegations, Modi said Fiji was an important partner for India as due to deep and enduring historical ties, adding that Fiji was an influential voice in the pacific region.
"We agreed to consult more closely on international issues of mutual interests, including international trade, climate change, United Nations Peacekeeping and UN reforms," Modi said.
The Indian prime minister also said the two countries will expand defence and security cooperation, including assistance in defence training and capacity building, as well as lay out a "concrete roadmap" to expand trade and investment.
Modi also announced visa on arrival for Fijian people and a $5 million fund to promote small scale businesses in the island nation.
Bainimarama added that India will be assisting Fiji with power generation.
"We are pleased that our relationship with India is growing and we are proud to have India as a partner in Fiji's future.", Bainimarama added.
Later in the day, Modi is expected to address the Fijian parliament.
Out of the 849,000 population in Fiji, 37 percent of people are of Indian-origin. Many Indians arrived in Fiji as indentured labour in the 19th century.
Fiji and India have 135 years of historical and friendly relations, and a formal diplomatic relation was established in 1970.
Modi's visit to the pacific nation, due to end on Thursday (November 20) morning, will be followed by Chinese president Xi Jinping, who will be arriving in Fiji on Friday (November 21)
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