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Fiji’s Deputy PM arrives in Delhi for week-long India visit

Nadi [Fiji], Feb 15 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets Fiji Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad to discuss further advancing India-Fiji ties through developmental cooperation, in Nadi on Wednesday. (ANI Photo)

Prasad will participate in a programme in the national capital on February 6 and head to Goa on February 7 for another event…reports Asian Lite News

The Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji, Biman Prasad, arrived in New Delhi late on Sunday night, kicking off his week-long visit to India. Upon reaching the national capital, Prasad was welcomed by the Ministry of External Affairs’ JS Indo Pacific, Paramita Tripathi.

Following his arrival, the official spokesperson of the MEA, Randhir Jaiswal in a post on X, wrote, “Advancing India-Fiji ties!” “A warm welcome to Deputy PM @bimanprasad of Fiji as he arrives in New Delhi on an official visit,” he added.

The Deputy PM of Fiji, who also serves as the Minister of Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development, and Statistics for his country, is the first foreign leader to visit Ayodhya after the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony on January 22.

His visit to India will span from February 4 to 10, departing on February 11. He will meet the Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs and Education, Rajkumar Ranjan Singh on Monday, along with a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

Prasad will participate in a programme in the national capital on February 6 and head to Goa on February 7 for another event.

On February 8, he is scheduled to visit Ayodhya, as stated by the MEA. On February 9, Prasad will depart for Ahmedabad, followed by a visit to Gandhinagar.

Prasad had previously visited India in February 2023. It was his first official trip to India. During that visit, he participated in a high-level Ministerial Session on ‘Strategies for a Sustainable and Decarbonised Future.’

During the discussions, he highlighted the urgent need for global action on decarbonisation if the world is to genuinely fight issues like climate change, which is having devastating impacts on the lives and livelihoods of people in small developing island countries like Fiji.

Prasad also called upon the developed world to support affordable technology transfer to facilitate a smooth and economically feasible energy transition. (ANI)

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Fiji, PNG honour Modi with their highest civilian awards

Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka conferred PM Modi with the highest honour in the country which is given to only a handful of Non-Fijians…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday received the highest civilian honour from two Pacific Island countries: Fiji and Papua New Guinea, on the sidelines of the third Forum of India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit.

Fiji awarded PM Modi with the highest honour: Companion of the Order of Fiji in recognition of his global leadership. “PM @narendramodi has been conferred the highest honour of Fiji, the Companion of the Order of Fiji. It was presented to him by PM @slrabuka,” tweeted the Prime Minister’s Office.

Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka conferred PM Modi with the highest honour in the country which is given to only a handful of Non-Fijians.

PM Modi said, “…This honour is not just mine but that of 140 crores Indians, of centuries-old India-Fiji relations…”

Papua New Guinea also conferred the Companion of the Order of Logohu to PM Modi for championing the cause of unity of Pacific Island countries and spearheading the cause of the Global South. Very few non-residents of Papua New Guinea have received this award.

In a tweet, the Prime Minister’s Office said, “Papua New Guinea has conferred the Companion of the Order of Logohu on PM Narendra Nodi. It was presented to him by Papua New Guinea Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae.”

“An honour emblematic of the depth of India-Papua New Guinea relationship. Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae of Papua New Guinea conferred PM Modi with the country’s highest civilian award, Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu (GCL),” tweeted Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

PM Modi has also been accorded the “Ebakl Award” of Palau by President Surangel Whipps Jr, on the sidelines of the third India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit in Papua New Guinea.

Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, “Had a wonderful meeting with President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. of the Republic of Palau on the sidelines of FIPIC Summit.”

The Prime Minister arrived on the second leg of a visit to Papua New Guinea on Sunday after attending G7 Summit in Japan’s Hiroshima.

After his visit to Papua New Guinea, Modi will travel to Sydney at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

PM Modi arrived in Papua New Guinea on May 21 at the Port Moresby airport where Prime Minister James Marape touched PM Modi’s feet and sought his blessings. He co-chaired the 3rd India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit.

This is not the first time when PM Modi was conferred with the international awards.

In 2016, Saudi Arabia awarded PM Modi with the Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud, the highest honour of Saudi Arabia awarded to non-Muslim dignitaries.

In the same year, he received the highest civilian honour in Afghanistan, “State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan”.

In 2018, PM Modi was conferred with the highest honour of Palestine award the “Grand Collar of the State of Palestine Award” which is given to foreign dignitaries.

Next year, UAE conferred the highest civilian honour to PM Modi which was the Order of Zayed Award. And in the same year, he received the Order of St. Andrew award, the highest civilian honour in Russia.

In 2019, he also received the “Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin,” the highest honour of the Maldives awarded to foreign dignitaries and the King Hamad Order of the Renaissance, this Bahrain Order which is the first class that is a top honour by the gulf country.

Next year, the US government conferred PM Modi with the “Legion of Merit,” which is an award of America’s Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.

Bhutan too honoured PM Modi with the highest civilian decoration, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo in December 2021. (ANI)

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Fiji calls India a special friend and trusted partner

Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka said India has stood by us in times of need, has worked shoulder to shoulder to overcome the challenges….reports Asian Lite News

Extending gratitude towards Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for extending help in the time of need, Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on Thursday said that India is a special friend and trusted partner of his country.

In a joint statement with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar here, Rabuka said: “India has stood by us in times of need, has worked shoulder to shoulder to overcome the challenges posed by the climate crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic”

“We are grateful to the Indian government and people of the country for supporting us through provision of life saving vaccines, humanitarian assistance,” Rabuka said.

Rabuka also expressed heartfelt appreciation to Prime Minister Modi and Indian government for their incredible support in co-hosting the 12th World Hindi Conference in Fiji.

Rabuka said: “This is the first high-level visit from Indian government in a almost a decade after Modi visited Fiji in 2014. This visit symbolises friendly relationship and mutual respect we have for one another.”

Jaishankar said: “India and Fiji share close and friendly ties rooted in our historical linkages with such
strong cultural similarities.”

“Thank the government of Fiji for partnering with on the cultural heritage exercise,” Jaishankar added.

Earlier in the day, both the nations signed a pact on visa exemption for domestic and official passport holders facilitating easy access to opportunities for discussion and collaboration at all levels.

In the morning, Jaishankar was given a warm welcome in Parliament of Fiji. The EAM also appreciated Fiji Minister Charan Jeeth Singh’s address in Hindi.

“Glad to meet MPs and witness the Parliament session in Fiji earlier today. Appreciated Minister Charan Jeath Singh’s address in Hindi,” he posted on Twitter.

Jaishankar said that India views Fiji as an important partner in the Indo-Pacific and discussed long-standing ties and ways of intensifying cooperation.

“Exchanged views on areas of priority. We will upgrade our development partnership accordingly,” Jaishankar said.

Jaishankar and Fiji President Wiliame Katonivere jointly launched the ‘Solarisation of the Pacific Heads of State Residences Project’ which is supported by the Indian government and the state house in Suva, Fiji.

“This project reflects India’s strong commitment to climate action, to climate justice,” Jaishankar added.

In a series of tweets, Jaishankar posted: “Visited the Fiji Museum and inaugurated the Girmit gallery there supported by India. The exposition of the story of the Fiji-Indian experience captures the striving of our people who created their own way of life far away from home. Their contribution will always be valued and serve as motivation to work towards stronger India-Fiji relations.”

“Privileged to unveil a bust of Sardar Patel at the India House in Suva, Fiji. His vision of a united, stronger nation remains an inspiration for all Indians,” he posted.

“India’s foreign policy today parallels its domestic outlook. We seek greater fairness and justice, ensure better delivery and promote development of all,” Jaishankar said.

Jaishankar said that he interacted with the Indian diaspora in Fiji and discussed recent developments at home and abroad that open up new vistas of cooperation with Fiji.

Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to Fiji.

India, Fiji sign MoU on visa exemption

India and Fiji on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka witnessed the MoU exchange. Jaishankar on the occasion said: “I just signed and exchanged the visa waiver agreement. It will be helpful in encouraging greater travel between our two countries.”

Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka called the MoU exchange a landmark achievement and said positive discussions were held today to further advance mutual cooperation in key areas of development notably in health and education.

“On behalf of the government of Fiji, I thank the government of India for realising this important cooperation. I’m confident that we will witness many more such initiatives unfolding through the deepening of our cooperation,” Rabuka said.

As a result of the visa exemption, diplomatic and official passport holders in India and Fiji will now be able to enter, transit through, stay and leave each other’s territories without a visa for a period not exceeding 90 days.

The exemption will allow both countries easier access to opportunities for collaboration, discussions and meetings at all levels.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday, while emphasising on the “close and long-standing ties” shared between India and Fiji through “people to people linkages” said it was a privilege to partner in the nation-building efforts across various sectors in the South Pacific country.

Jaishankar also thanked the Fiji government for partnering with India for the 12th World Hindi Conference. He said the arrangements made by the government were exceptional.

Addressing a joint press statement with the Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka on Thursday, Jaishankar said, “I would like to take this occasion to really publically and sincerely thank the government of Fiji for partnering with us on this very important cultural, heritage exercise we do regularly. The arrangements which were made were truly exceptional.”

The external affairs minister is on an official visit to Fiji from February 15-17 to attend the 12th World Hindi Conference in Nadi.

“India and Fiji have close and long-standing ties and a large part of that is built on our people-to-people linkages. We have been privileged to partner with Fiji in its nation-building efforts across various sectors,” he said.

Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on Thursday said India stood by his country in times of great need and will always be a special friend and trusted partner.

“I’m pleased to say that India will always be a special friend and trusted partner to Fiji,” the Prime Minister said.

“Together we’ve built a robust multifaceted partnership which covers cooperation in all major areas of nation-building. India has stood by us in times of great need. We’re grateful to GoI for supporting us through the provision of life-saving vaccines and humanitarian assistance,” the Fijian PM said.

He also appreciated PM Modi and the Indian government’s support in co-hosting the 12th World Hindi conference in Fiji. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Jaishankar opens Vishwa Hindi Sammelan in Fiji

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Jaishankar opens Vishwa Hindi Sammelan in Fiji

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday inaugurated the 12th Vishwa Hindi Sammelan in Nadi, Fiji….reports Asian Lite News

At the 12th Vishwa Hindi Sammelan held in Nadia, Fiji, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized promoting the Hindi language across the world.

“In events like World Hindi Conference, it is natural that our focus should be on various aspects of the Hindi language, its global use, and its dissemination. We will discuss issues like the status of Hindi in Fiji, the Pacific region and indentured countries,” said Jaishankar. He said that the era of aping western languages and traditions is over.

“The era when we equated progress & modernity with westernization is behind us. Many such languages and traditions which were suppressed during the colonial era are again raising their voice on the global stage,” Jaishankar said at the 12th World Hindi Conference in Nadi.

He said that it is necessary that the world should know about all cultures and societies.

“In such a situation, it is necessary that the world should know about all the cultures and societies,” added EAM Jaishankar.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday inaugurated the 12th Vishwa Hindi Sammelan in Nadi, Fiji.

Fiji’s President Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere was also present at the event.

Notably, the World Hindi Conference will be co-hosted by the governments of India and Fiji from February 15-17 in Nadi, Fiji. It is External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s first visit to Fiji,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release.

Jaishankar also thanked Government of Fiji for organising the 12th Vishwa Hindi Sammelan in Nadia and said that events like this promote a long-standing relationship between the two nations.

“It’s a great pleasure to join you all for the inauguration of the 12th World Hindi Conference. I thank the Govt of Fiji for being our collaborative partner in this regard. It’s also an opportunity for many of us to visit Fiji and promote our long-standing relationship,” said Jaishankar.

Speaking at the event, Fijian President Ratu said this forum presents a unique opportunity to celebrate the enduring strength of the historical and special relationship Fiji shares with India.

“This forum presents a unique opportunity to celebrate the enduring strength of the historical & special relationship Fiji shares with India… When it comes to entertainment, Fijians love to watch Bollywood movies,” said Fiji’s President at the 12th World Hindi Conference.

Moreover, Jaishankar along with the President of Fiji Ratu released a postal stamp and launched 6 books at the 12th World Hindi Conference in Nadi.

The 12th World Hindi Conference is being organized in Fiji from February 15-17, 2023 by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India in association with the Government of Fiji.

The main theme of the conference is “Hindi – Traditional Knowledge to Artificial Intelligence”.

Several exhibitions related to the development of the Hindi language will be organized at the conference venue. Cultural programmes and Kavi Sammelan is also proposed to be organized by Indian Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi during the Conference.

As per the past practice, during the Conference, Hindi scholars from India and other countries will be honoured with “Vishwa Hindi Samman” for their special contribution to the field of Hindi.

During the 11th World Hindi Conference held in Mauritius in 2018, a recommendation was made to organize its next edition in Fiji. (ANI)

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Jaishankar to visit Fiji, Australia from Feb 15

Hanimaadhoo (Maldives), Jan 19 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addresses at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Hanimaadhoo International Airport Development Project, on Wednesday. (ANI Photo)

India and Australia have maintained a steady bilateral relationship that has been characterized by growing interaction in the fields of politics, economy, security, and culture…reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit Fiji from February 15-17 to attend the 12th World Hindi Conference. The conference is being co-hosted by the governments of India and Fiji in Nadi.

EAM Jaishankar and Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka will inaugurate the 12th World Hindi Conference in Nadi in Fiji on February 15. The conference is expected to draw representatives from 50 countries.

This will be EAM Jaishankar’s first visit to Fiji. The visit will also be the first incoming ministerial delegation to Fiji after the formation of the new government in December 2022, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday.

In addition to attending the World Hindi Conference, EAM Jaishankar is also scheduled to have bilateral meetings with the new leadership of Fiji. This visit follows closely after the recent high-level visit to India by Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad earlier this month.

India and Fiji have built strong collaboration in a number of areas, including commerce, culture, and education, throughout the years, which has helped to enhance their bilateral ties. The forthcoming 12-day World Hindi Conference, which will begin on February 15, is another cooperative endeavor between India and Fiji to strengthen their relationship.

After Fiji, EAM Jaishankar will head to Sydney, Australia, on February 18. This will be his third visit to the country as External Affairs Minister since February 2022. He will hold meetings with the Australian leadership and attend the Raisina@Sydney Conference, which will be held for the first time in Australia, the MEA said.

For many years, India and Australia have maintained a steady bilateral relationship that has been characterized by growing interaction in the fields of politics, economy, security, and culture.

Both nations have made efforts in recent years to strengthen their ties, and in 2020 the bilateral relationship was upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This has created new chances for collaboration in several fields including commerce and investment, education and research, and security and defence.

EAM Jaishankar’s visit to Fiji and Australia highlights India’s commitment to strengthening its ties with nations in the region and beyond.

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Fiji and India to Jointly Celebrate Hindi Language

Fiji is an archipelago of more than 300 islands in the South Pacific….reports Asian Lite News

India will organize the 12th World Hindi Conference later this month in Fiji, the external affairs ministry said on Saturday.

The 12th World Hindi Conference organised by the MEA in cooperation with the Fiji government will be held in Nadi in the South Pacific country from February 15-17, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (East), Saurabh Kumar said during a special media briefing. A 270 member delegation from India will visit Fiji for the event and representatives from 50 countries are expected to participate in it.

Fiji is an archipelago of more than 300 islands in the South Pacific.

The event will be inaugurated on February 15 by the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, the Secretary said

Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan and Minister of State in Ministry of Home Affairs Ajay Kumar Mishra will also be present during the event.

The decision to hold the event in Fiji was taken during the World Hindi Conference in Mauritius last year, according to Kumar.

“The Prime Minister always uses Hindi and has given various speeches in the language in India as well as abroad. This has increased the language’s value and more people have been motivated to use it,” the MEA Secretary said.

“The theme for the event is ‘Hindi – Traditional Knowledge to Artificial Intelligence’ where on one side we are respecting our traditional knowledge and on the other side, showing that Hindi has been successful in walking along with the technological advancements,” Kumar said.

The MEA Secretary said that the Indian government is giving large importance to the Hindi language but the language has made limited progress at the United Nations.

“UN press releases are now available in Hindi. We are trying to get Hindi its rightful place at the UN,” Kumar said.

The upcoming conference will comprise of 10 parallel sessions.

“A group of 270 people will go to Fiji from India to take part in the event. Various Hindi experts from India and abroad will participate in the event. We expect representatives from 50 countries to attend the event,” Kumar said.

Meanwhile, MEA official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Saturday tweeted that the MEA Secretary (East) interacted with an ASEAN media delegation which is on a week long visit to India.

“Secretary East @AmbSaurabhKumar interacted with @ASEAN media delegation which is on a week-long familiarisation visit to India. The interaction included ASEAN-India relations and our shared heritage. The delegation will also visit Agra and Hyderabad,” Bagchi tweeted.

Saurabh Kumar recently paid an official visit to South Korea and co-chaired the 5th Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue (FPSD) with his Korean counterpart Cho Hyundong.

Taking to Twitter, the Embassy of India in South Korea said, “Secretary East @AmbSaurabhKumar met Rep Kim Tae-ho, Chairperson, Foreign Affairs & Unification Committee of RoK National Assembly @news_NA, and exchanged views to strengthen -ties. They also discussed regional & global issues of mutual interest, including #IndoPacific & #G20.” (ANI)

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India, Fiji cement ties

Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister, who is on a five-day visit to India, attended the first India Energy Week (IEW) 2023…reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Fiji Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad and discussed development cooperation and exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific.

Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar also said that he will meet Prasad for the second time next week at the 12th World Hindi Conference. “A good meeting with Deputy Prime Minister @bimanprasad of @FijiGovernment today. Discussed #IndiaFiji historical people-to-people ties, our development cooperation, and collaboration at multilateral forums. Also exchanged views on Indo-Pacific,” he said in a tweet.

Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister, who is on a five-day visit to India, attended the first India Energy Week (IEW) 2023. He also met Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri, on the sidelines of IEW.

Prasad congratulated Puri for successfully hosting the first-ever India Energy Week with a focus on decarbonisation and transition to a clean energy economy.

Discussions focused on how India can support Fiji in its energy transition with the transfer of technology to improve energy efficiency, develop more renewable energy sources and build climate-smart infrastructure.

Puri also assured India’s support towards the housing sector with a focus on smart low-cost construction technology and the potential involvement of the Indian private sector in any future Housing Public Private Partnership Projects in Fiji.

Notably, this is the first high-level visit from Fiji following the formation of the new government under Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in December 2022.

Prasad also participated in a high-level Ministerial Session on “Strategies for a sustainable and decarbonized future.” During the discussions, he highlighted the urgent need for global action on decarbonisation if the world is to genuinely fight issues like climate change which is having devastating impacts on the lives and livelihoods of people in small developing island countries like Fiji.

He also called upon the developed world to support affordable technology transfer in assisting countries with smooth and economically feasible energy transition.

During his visit to India, Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs, Rajkumar Ranjan Singh hosted a lunch in honour of Deputy Prime Minister Prasad.

India-Fiji relations are based on mutual respect, cooperation, and strong cultural and people-to-people ties.

The visit of Deputy Prime Minister Prasad comes a few days before the 12th World Hindi Conference which will be jointly hosted by India and Fiji in Nadi, Fiji, from 15-17 February 2023, according to the statement released by the Ministry fo External Affairs.

“The first high-level visit from Fiji since the change of government in December 2022 is expected to further strengthen and deepen the long-standing relationship between India and Fiji,” as per the statement. (ANI)

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Foreign Ministry closely monitoring developments in Fiji

In a social media post, Bainimarama said reports of “violence targeted at Indo-Fijian homes and businesses” as “deeply disturbing”…reports Asian Lite News

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that India is closely monitoring the situation in Fiji after the Pacific island nation’s police called in the military to help maintain security following last week’s election which resulted in a hung parliament.

“Our High Commission there is keeping a close eye on the developments. We have not issued any advisory,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said during a weekly press briefing. “We are in touch with our local mission there,” he added. After last week’s election, a new coalition government was expected to lead to the end of rule by former coup leader and former prime minister Frank Bainimarama which saw the incumbent government lose its majority, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported.

The report said Bainimarama’s Fiji First Party has not conceded defeat. Meanwhile, a coalition of three parties is said to have a combined majority and agreed on a leader as prime minister.

On Thursday, the Fiji Police force said the decision to call in the military was in response to threats made against “minority groups”.

This decision was reached after a meeting between PM Bainimarama and other top Defence officials who emphasized the need to maintain law and order.

“It’s a consensus decision based on official reports received, intelligence and information gathered and the evaluation of the current security landscape where minority groups continue to be targeted and information of planned civil unrest received,” the police statement added.

In a social media post, Bainimarama said reports of “violence targeted at Indo-Fijian homes and businesses” as “deeply disturbing”.

“These attacks — which are no doubt fuelled by racist vitriol on social media — must end,” he was quoted as saying by ABC. “The [military] has been deployed to complement the police in maintaining law and order. If you see violence being committed, report it!”

Meanwhile, opposition parties have disputed reports from the police.

Pacific Island Countries (PICs) are part of India’s engagement with the East. Under Act East Policy, the Indian government has stepped up its efforts to engage with countries in this region, according to MEA.

The landmark initiative, the Forum for India-Pacific Cooperation (FIPIC), was launched under the Act East Policy rubric by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the first FIPIC summit held in Suva, Fiji in November 2014.

The second edition was held in Jaipur in August 2015. (ANI)

ALSO READ-With Fiji, India set to expand its South Pacific footprint

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With Fiji, India set to expand its South Pacific footprint

About 37% of Fijian population is of Indian origin and the Indian diaspora has been a key factor shaping Indo-Fiji ties, writes Sankalp Gurjar

Although international politics is often shaped by the activities of major powers, strategically located small states matter a great deal for global politics. Major powers routinely seek to acquire military facilities/bases in smaller states to project their power. The South Pacific region is home to such strategically-important-yet-smaller-in-size archipelagic states where major powers are competing for influence.

In fact, the South Pacific has emerged as one of the most important strategic theatres in the broader Indo-Pacific region. The region has been in the news this year for the consistent and assertive attempts by China to gain a strategic foothold and expand its influence. China has aggressively sought to engage the smaller Island states and has challenged Australia and New Zealand, the traditional regional powers, in their own backyard. Given the seriousness of the Chinese challenge, the Quad summit in Tokyo earlier this year had a detailed paragraph about the region.

In this context, India is demonstrating incremental interest to mark its presence in the region. The 12th World Hindi Conference will be held in Fiji in February 2023. About 37% of Fijian population is of Indian origin and the Indian diaspora has been a key factor shaping Indo-Fiji ties. The country had hosted the first summit between India and the Pacific Island States in 2014.

Fiji has also been one of the founding members of the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). The IPEF is an attempt by the US to re-enter the region and play a prominent role in the economic future of the Indo-Pacific. The US has been missing from the regional economic landscape, at least since the withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership in January 2017.

Meanwhile, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, rising global energy prices and the slowing economy, China remains a major economic and investment partner for the region. Therefore, having a key Pacific Island state in the US-led economic initiatives is a positive signal.

Besides, India recently held, first foreign office consultations (FOC) with Papua New Guinea (PNG). FOCs are generally held at the level of officials and act as a key input feeder for the foreign policy bureaucracy.

The PNG, the third largest Island country in the world, is located at the crossroads of Australia and Indonesia, the two regional giants. More importantly, it neighbours Solomon Islands, the state which shot to prominence for its growing closeness, especially in the domain of security, to China. India’s engagement with the PNG is important in view of sharpening strategic rivalries in the Indo-Pacific region.

As per India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) press release, the consultations “reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations”. The two sides “exchanged views on regional and global issues”. One would like to believe that issues such as the US-China strategic rivalry, challenges of maritime security, effects of climate change and the development of the blue economy would have figured in these discussions.

Although India engaged South Pacific leaders on the side-lines of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2019, the third FIPIC summit has not taken place since the second, Jaipur summit in 2015. Therefore, the reference to the third summit in the MEA press release is significant. It noted that India and PNG “discussed the joint hosting by the two countries of the 3rd Summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) to be held in Port Moresby”.

The evolving geopolitics and geoeconomics of the Indo-Pacific region is making smaller Island states of South Pacific, at once, important, and yet vulnerable. Many of these countries are in the state of flux as the strategic rivalries are being played out in their domestic politics. The competition for recognition and influence between China and Taiwan is a key factor in the internal politics of Solomon Islands whereas Bougainville seeks to achieve independence from the PNG. A section of population in the French territories in the South Pacific have been demanding independence from France as well.

In view of the intensifying strategic rivalries in the Indo-Pacific region, small Island states of South Pacific have been bestowed with greater diplomatic choices. India could perhaps leverage the quest of these Island states for diversifying their foreign and strategic policy partners. As India struggles to be an attractive economic partner for the Indo-Pacific region, expanding India’s development assistance as well as naval footprint in the region would be a good way to start. It will not only help India in expanding its influence but also limit the growing Chinese challenge.

(Sankalp Gurjar is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Geopolitics and International Relations, Manipal Academy of Higher Education. He specializes in Indo-Pacific security, South Asian geopolitics and Great Power Politics)

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12th World Hindi Conference to be held in Fiji  

Bali, July 07 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, in Bali on Thursday. (ANI Photo/ Dr. S. Jaishankar Twitter)

The website and logo for the Conference were launched earlier in October 2022 in New Delhi by External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar…reports Asian Lite News

The 12th World Hindi Conference is being organized by the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with the Government of Fiji from 15 to 17 February 2023 in Fiji.

“The online registration for participation in the 12th World Hindi Conference in Fiji commenced from today at www.vishwahindisammelan.gov.in,” the ministry said.

The registration fee for Indian citizens is Rs. 2000, for Indian students Rs. 500, foreigners $50 and foreign student $10, it added.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs press release, the fee can be paid online through Internet Banking or any valid Debit/Credit Card, as detailed on the website. The fee has been reduced compared to the last Conference to encourage more participation.

“The main theme of the Conference is “Hindi: From Traditional Knowledge to Artificial Intelligence”,“ it said.

The website and logo for the Conference were launched earlier in October 2022 in New Delhi by External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar.

The website contains relevant information on the 12th World Hindi conference, Visa requirements, accommodation and Covid-19 guidelines etc. for visitors to Fiji, in addition to information about previous World Hindi Conferences.

“The website will be updated soon with detailed information on the Programme of and Academic Sessions at 12th World Hindi Conference,” the ministry said.

So far, 11 World Hindi Conferences have been organized in various countries and this time the 12th World Hindi Conference will be organized in Fiji. Hindi language is very popular in several countries including New Zealand, Fiji, Singapore, Mauritius, among others.

According to the United Nations report of 2020, Fiji had a population of more than 896,000 and out of which over 30% is of Indian-origin.

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