“India and Fiji may be oceans apart : PM Modi
Ahmedabad, Aug 25 :
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday arrived in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad where he launched developmental projects worth over Rs 5000 crore. The Prime Minister also highlighted the success of the armed forces’ Operation Sindoor to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack while also attacking the Congress on the occasion.
The prime minister landed at the Ahmedabad this evening and later held a 3 km roadshow from Naroda to Nikol to a grand welcome from BJP workers and locals.
The Prime Minister’s roadshow culminated at the Khodaldham ground, Ahmedabad where he laid the foundation stone and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth Rs 5,400 crores at Khodaldham ground, Ahmedabad.
Projects Launched By PM Modi Among the developmental projects launched by PM Modi in Ahmedabad are three projects worth Rs 1404 crore of expansion of Railway Lines under the Railway Ministry, five projects worth Rs 1122 crore of distribution network in Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Mehsana and two substations at Ahmedabad under the Energy and Petrochemicals Department, another proect worth Rs 33 Crore besides the foundation laying of five projects worth Rs 274 crore of various developmental projects under various differents.
The Prime Minister virtually flagged off the Mehsana-Palanpur railway line (65 km), gauge conversion of the Kalol-Kadi-Katosan line (37 km) and the Becharaji-Ranunj line (40 km).
PM Highlights Success of Operation Sindoor The prime minister also highlighted the success of Operation Sindoor launched in the aftermath of April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in which 25 tourists and a local horse rider were killed.
The World saw how
“Today, we do not spare terrorists and their masters, no matter where they are hiding…The world saw how India avenged the Pahalgam terror attack. In a few minutes, they (terrorists) were eliminated,” the PM said in an apparent reference to the late July encounter in Srinagar outskirts in which the security forces claimed to have gunned down three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack.
The PM also slammed the Congress dispensations at the Centre for an alleged soft policy against terrorism from across the border. “Our soldiers were being killed, but the Congress government at the Centre did nothing,” the PM said.
India and Fiji on Monday unveiled significant initiatives to bolster defence and maritime security cooperation between the two nations, including the creation of a Defence Attache post at the High Commission of India in Fiji’s capital of Suva.According to the Joint Statement issued following the joint press conference by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka earlier today, there is growing momentum in bilateral ties aimed at promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, including a planned port call by an Indian Naval Ship to Fiji scheduled for this year.The Joint Statement highlighted the leaders’ commitment to deepening defence collaboration, with PM Modi announcing the gifting of two sea ambulances to Fiji’s Military Forces and the establishment of a Cyber Security Training Cell (CSTC) in Fiji to address emerging challenges.”Both Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening defence cooperation through new initiatives aimed at accelerating bilateral defence efforts and designed to promote mutual benefits and advance peace, stability, and prosperity in the region,” the statement read.”Prime Minister Modi announced the gifting of two ambulances to the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the establishment of the defence wing in the High Commission of India in Suva. In view of cyber security being an emerging area of cooperation between both countries, the Leaders welcomed the establishment of Cyber Security Training Cell (CSTC) in Fiji. They emphasised the significant potential for collaboration on addressing current and emerging challenges, particularly in the maritime, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), and technology sectors,” it further read.Prime Minister Rabuka also welcomed India’s assurance to support the security of Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the planned naval port call, which will enhance maritime cooperation and interoperability.”Prime Minister Rabuka stressed the significance of ensuring security of Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and welcomed India’s assurance to extend assistance to meet the security needs of the Republic of Fiji. Prime Minister Rabuka welcomed the planned port call by an Indian Naval Ship to Fiji, which will enhance maritime cooperation and interoperability,” the statement added.The statement also emphasised cooperation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, Military Medicine, White Shipping Information Exchange, and capacity building for Fiji’s military.”Both Leaders acknowledged the growing momentum in bilateral defence ties. They emphasised the importance of their shared interests in advancing regional peace, stability, and prosperity… The Leaders welcomed the outcomes of the inaugural Joint Working Group (JWG) on Defence, including enhanced cooperation in areas such as United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO), Military Medicine, White Shipping Information Exchange (WSIE), and capacity building for Republic of Fiji Military Forces,” the statement read.The leaders underscored the importance of a “free, open, secure, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region”, announcing their intent to collaborate on strengthening regional maritime security, the statement added.During a special briefing on the occasion of Prime Minister Rabuka’s visit, MEA Secretary (South) Neena Malhotra also reiterated both nations’ focus on defence and security cooperation in the region.”We are focusing on training and capacity building, and we have also had port calls by our ships, and we have also focused on HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief). We are essentially focusing on enhancing the maritime capabilities of Fiji so that they could deal with the challenges of security in the region, which is also disaster management because their countries are vulnerable to natural disasters and cyclones,” Malhotra said.”Together, India and Fiji are committed to advancing our shared vision of peace, prosperity, and sustainable development in the region,” Malhotra added, highlighting Fiji’s role as a regional hub through its leadership in the Pacific Island Forum and its air and shipping links.PM Rabuka arrived in New Delhi on Sunday, marking the start of his official visit to India, which will continue until August 26. This is his first visit to India as the Prime Minister of Fiji.The visit aims to deepen India-Fiji ties across multiple sectors, including strategic partnership and people-to-people exchanges.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed the deep bonds of friendship between India and Fiji and stated that the aspirations of the two nations “sail in the same boat.”After Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka expressed interest of his country in joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), PM Modi welcomed the South Pacific ocean nation to join the partnership that was launched by India in 2019 with like-minded countries which seek to manage, conserve and sustain the maritime domain.”We see Fiji as a hub in cooperation with Pacific Island countries. We both support a free, open, inclusive, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Prime Minister’s ‘Oceans of Peace’ is a very positive thought. We welcome Fiji to join India’s Indo-Pacific Ocean initiative,” PM Modi said.Addressing a joint press conference following his talks with Rabuka in the national capital, PM Modi said, “India and Fiji may be oceans apart, but our aspirations sail in the same boat.”Prime Rabuka highlighted the concept of the ‘Ocean of Peace’ which emphasizes building a peaceful, stable, secure, and sustainable future and well-being for the Pacific Region. Prime Minister Modi commended Prime Minister Rabuka for his leadership in championing ‘Ocean of Peace’ in the Pacific Region.Prime Minister Modi appreciated Fiji’s active participation in the Voice of Global South Summits and thanked Rabuka for his participation in the Leaders’ Session of the Summit.”We are also fellow travellers in the development journey of the Global South. We are partners in building a world order where the independence, ideas and identity of the Global South are respected. We believe that no voice should be ignored, and no nation should be left behind,”PM Modi said.Both leaders welcomed Fiji’s continued engagement with the Global South Centre of Excellence, DAKSHIN, in finding unique development solutions rooted in the shared experience of Global South countries.PM Modi recalled his visit to Fiji in 2014 and shared how it was the first visit of an Indian PM to Fiji in 33 years. Subsequently, his visit saw the commencement of the action oriented Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC).”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. At that time, 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.”FIPIC has not only reinforced India-Fiji ties, but also given a renewed strength to relations in the Pacific region,” he said.The Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) is a part of India’s multifaceted engagement in the Pacific.Recalling the outcomes of the 3rd FIPIC Summit held in May 2023, Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to development partnership in the region through wide-ranging initiatives keeping priorities of Fiji at the centre.Reaffirming healthcare as a key priority area, both Leaders welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on design, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of a 100-bedded Super Specialty Hospital in Suva which is the largest project undertaken by India under its Grant-in-Aid Programme in the Pacific Region.”In our extensive talks today, we took many important decisions. We believe that only a healthy nation can be a prosperous nation. Therefore, we decided that a 100-bed super specialty hospital will be built in ‘Suva’. Dialysis units and sea ambulances will be sent. And, Jan Aushadhi Kendras will be opened, so that cheap and high quality medicines will reach every home. We want that no one’s steps should stop in the race of dreams, hence, ‘Jaipur Foot’ camp will also be organized in Fiji,”PM Modi said.Further, PM Modi said that in the field of agriculture, Cowpea, or Lobia seeds sent from India, are germinating very well in the soil of Fiji. “India will now also gift 12 agri-drones and two mobile soil testing labs. We congratulate the Fijian government for accepting Indian ghee in Fiji,” PM Modi said.PM Modi said that the visit of the Fiji PM marks a new chapter in the India-Fiji ties and lauded the declaration of ‘Girmit Day’ by PM Rabuka and said, “This is an honour of our shared history”.He highlighted how over 60,000 Indians had travelled to Fiji in the nineteenth century as ‘Girmitiyas’, who have since then greatly contributed towards the growth and development of Fiji, by not only enriching their culture but also strengthening the unity of Fiji, continuously staying in touch with their roots.PM Modi highlighted the Ramayana tradition in Fiji as a living example of it.PM Rabuka arrived in New Delhi on Sunday, marking the start of his official visit to India, which will continue until August 26. This is his first visit to India as the Prime Minister of Fiji.The visit aims to deepen India-Fiji ties across multiple sectors, including strategic partnership and people-to-people exchanges. Prime Minister Modi is also scheduled to host a luncheon for the visiting prime minister.
