Among the many areas of bilateral co-operation, climate change and renewable energy are among the top priorities for India and its partners in the Pacific, including Fiji.
Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said among the projects that reflected India’s determination to take action against climate change, was the solarisation project for heads of states for 11 Pacific nations.
The State House in Fiji was the first to be inaugurated in the region.
“This project reflects India’s strong commitment to climate action, to climate justice,” he said.
“It is also underlining our shared priorities with Pacific islands and this very important challenge of climate change.
“In a region that is prone to natural disasters, India has also stood with Fiji in difficult times. We’ve been the first responder on certain occasions and during COVID, Fiji was the recipient of 100,000 doses of vaccine in March, 2021.
“We are truly pleased with the recovery that we see in Fiji and it’s something that we regard as something which is very good for the global economy.”
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka also lauded this commitment following a bilateral meeting yesterday.
“There are enormous opportunities for increased collaboration in the shared goals on economic prosperity, climate resilience, peace and security and sustainable development,” he said.
“I note with enthusiasm the positive discussions we had today (yesterday) to further advance mutual co-operation in the key areas of development, notably in health, education, infrastructure, renewable energy, sugar industry to mention a few.”
