India and Fiji on Monday unveiled a wide-ranging action plan to boost defence cooperation and pledged to work together for a peaceful Indo-Pacific after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka.With the Fiji leader by his side, PM Modi said that India and Fiji may be oceans apart, but our aspirations sail in the same boat.”In 2014, after 33 years, an Indian Prime Minister set foot on Fijian soil. I am very happy and proud that I had this good fortune.”Recalling his visit at the time, PM Modi said, “we started the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation, i.e., FIPIC. That initiative has given new strength not only to India-Fiji relations, but also to our connection with the entire Pacific region. And today with this visit of Prime Minister Rambukaji, we are adding a new chapter to our mutual relations,” PM Modi said.Rabuka, who arrived in Delhi on Sunday for a three-day visit, is on his first trip to India as the prime minister of the South Pacific nation. The visit comes at a time when New Delhi is seeking to deepen its maritime security partnerships in the Pacific region amid China’s growing strategic influence. After the talks, the two sides signed seven agreements covering cooperation in medicine, skill development, trade and capacity building. PM Modi and Rabuka also condemned in “strongest terms” the Pahalgam terrorist attack, reiterating their commitment to “zero tolerance” towards terrorism. They also rejected “double standards” on the issue and agreed to step up cooperation in countering the threat.“We have decided to strengthen mutual cooperation in the defence and security sector,” PM Modi said, adding that an action plan had already been prepared. He announced that India would provide training and equipment support to strengthen Fiji’s maritime security.PM Modi also highlighted India’s focus on the Global South, saying that India is a co-traveller in the development of the Global South. He added said that the two nations are working together to shape a world order that respects the independence, ideas and identity of the Global South.Climate change, PM Modi noted, is a major concern for Fiji and assured New Delhi’s support in disaster response. The joint statement issued after the meeting highlighted “the growing momentum in bilateral defence ties” and said both leaders underscored the importance of a “free, open, secure, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.” It added, “They announced their intent to collaborate on strengthening regional maritime security, contributing to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.”India also announced the creation of a new defence attache post in its high commission in Fiji. Modi said India would gift Fiji 12 agricultural drones and two mobile soil testing laboratories.
