NEW DELHI, JULY 19 (UNI) India and Fiji held the fifth round of Foreign Office Consultations (FoC) in the Fijian capital during which both sides reviewed the bilateral relations covering political, economic, defense, cultural and consular matters and discussed ways to further strengthen the close bilateral ties. The talks were held on July 18. The Indian side was led by Saurabh Kumar, Secretary (East), and the Fijian side was led by Yogesh Karan, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Fiji.
The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of interest and agreed to enhance their cooperation in the multilateral forum. During the visit, Secretary (East) also called on the Prime Minister of Fiji Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, and senior members of the Fijian Cabinet. Both sides reaffirmed their strong commitment to further strengthen the bilateral friendship and the development partnership between India and Fiji. It was agreed to hold the next round of consultations in New Delhi at a mutually convenient date, an official statement said.
Located thousands of miles away in the South Pacific Ocean, but kindred in spirit, Fiji, a string of 800- plus stunningly picturesque coral islands, is intimately linked with India by over 300,000 persons of Indian origin who have made this Pacific nation their home for over a century.
