Fiji President Welcomes Indian Minister of State, Highlights Deepening Ties and Shared Climate Commitment

The President of the Republic of Fiji, His Excellency, Ratu Lalabalavu, received a courtesy call on Monday from the Minister of State for External Affairs of the Republic of India, Hon. Shri Pabitra Margherita, at the State House.

This marks Hon. Margherita’s first official visit to Fiji, and he was warmly welcomed on behalf of the Fijian Government and its people.

During their meeting, President Lalabalavu reflected on the strong historical and cultural bonds between Fiji and India, which date back 146 years to the arrival of Indian indentured labourers. He noted that although formal diplomatic relations were established 54 years ago, the relationship is deeply rooted in shared heritage and people-to-people ties.

As the nation commemorated Girmit Day, the President underscored the importance of honouring the legacy of the Girmitiyas and their enduring contribution to Fiji’s identity.

President Lalabalavu also acknowledged India’s support in addressing shared global challenges, particularly climate change. “Climate change is a common challenge faced by both our countries. Despite the geographical distances between our regions, climate change continues to affect us equally. We in the Pacific cannot fight this battle alone and need the support of our partners like India to overcome the existential threat posed by the climate crisis,” he said.

He further commended India’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and its contribution to Fiji’s green transition, including the solarisation of the State House.

In response, Hon. Margherita thanked Fiji for the warm hospitality and described the country as "God's own country." He reiterated India’s commitment to future development partnerships, announcing plans for a 100-bed super-specialty cardiology hospital in Nasinu and an upcoming Memorandum of Understanding on pharmacopeia.

The Minister also encouraged more Fijian students to take advantage of scholarships offered by the Indian Government, noting that only 75% of the available scholarships are currently being utilised.

The visit concluded with a tour of the solarisation project at the State House, highlighting the shared commitment to sustainable development and renewable energy solutions.