President Droupadi Murmu will be on a three-nation visit to Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste from the 5th to 10th of this month. Briefing media in Delhi yesterday, Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumdar said this would be the first-ever visit by the President of India to Fiji and Timor Leste. He said that ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi enunciated his Act East Policy, the region of South East Asia and the Pacific has been a very special focus for India. He said all these three countries fall within the Act East Policy.
President Murmu will visit Fiji on the first leg of the visit from the 5th to 7th of August. The Secretary (East) said India has completed 75 years of diplomatic presence in Fiji. During this visit, President Murmu will hold bilateral meetings with Fiji President Katonivere and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. President Murmu is scheduled to address the Fijian Parliament and interact with the Indian diaspora there. India has been a strong development partner of Fiji.
President Murmu will visit New Zealand on the 8th and 9th of August on the second leg of her tour. The Secretary (East) said during the visit, she will hold a bilateral meeting with Governor General Cindy Kiro and meet Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. President Murmu will also address an International Education Conference in Wellington and address the Indian diaspora in Auckland. Mr Mazumdar said New Zealand recognises India as a key partner in defence and security.
On the last leg of the tour, President Murmu will visit Timor-Leste on 10th August and hold a bilateral meeting with President José Ramos-Horta. Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala “Xanana” Gusmão will call on President Murmu.
Secretary (East) said India has age old and strong partnership with New Zealand. Timor Leste has been accepted as a member of ASEAN and it will become the 11th member of ASEAN. Mr Mazumdar said India has an old and strong relationship with Fiji and Prime Minister Modi had launched the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) in 2014 from Fiji.
