- Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Fijian PM Sitiveni Rabuka on bilateral ties
- Rabuka arrived in Delhi on a three-day visit, his first as Fiji's prime minister
- India and Fiji share strong cultural and people-to-people connections since 1879
India and Fiji on Monday firmed up a broad action plan to expand their defence ties following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's extensive talks with his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka.
India and Fiji may be oceans apart, but our aspirations sail in the same boat, PM Modi said with the Fijian leader by his side.
Prime Minister Modi also said that India and Fiji support a free, inclusive, open, secure and prosperous India-Pacific.
Rabuka arrived in Delhi on Sunday on a three-day trip. It is his first visit to India in his capacity as the prime minister of the South Pacific nation.
Fiji is an important nation for India in the sphere of maritime security. India has been looking at expanding its defence ties with Fiji against the backdrop of China's relentless efforts to expand its strategic heft in the Pacific region.
Following the talks between PM Modi and Fijian PM Rabuka, the two sides inked seven pacts to broadbase cooperation in a range of areas.
"We have decided to strengthen mutual cooperation in the defence and security sector," PM Modi said. An action plan has been prepared for this, he said in his media statement.
PM Modi said India will provide training and equipment support to strengthen Fiji's maritime security.
In his remarks, PM Modi also referred to India's priorities for the Global South.
India is a co-traveller in the development of the Global South, he said.
"We are partners in building a world order where the independence, ideas and identity of the Global South are respected," he added.
The prime minister said climate change is a threat for Fiji and New Delhi will help it deal with disaster response.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
