High Commission of India
Suva
Maitri Ka Amrit Mahotsav
Press Note
The first Commissioner of India to British Fiji, Shri S. A. Waiz arrived in Suva on 2nd October 1948. After Fiji gained independence in October 1970, the Office of Commissioner of India became the High Commission of India to Fiji. The last Commissioner of India to Fiji Shri A. P. Venkateswaran became the first High Commissioner of India to Independent Fiji. Since then, both countries have together endeavored to build a modern and multi-faceted partnership based on mutual respect, trust, cooperation and strong people to people ties going back to 1879. It is a matter of great satisfaction to note that this partnership for progress encompassing all major segments of nation building has contributed significantly to the socio-economic development of Fiji.
On 2nd October 2023, we will be marking this major milestone of 75 years of India’s Diplomatic presence in Fiji. To celebrate this historic occasion, the High Commission of India in Suva has planned to organize a series of events under “Maitri Ka Amrit Mahotsav” (MKAM) or “Friendship Festival” initiative. These events to be organized in partnership with various local authorities and partner organizations will cover major areas of India-Fiji bilateral cooperation including Agriculture, Healthcare, Trade & Commerce, Culture, Education, Capacity Building and Digital Partnership. The MKAM campaign will kick off with a grand cultural event in Fiji National University on 02 October 2023, that will celebrate the rich, vibrant and diverse culture of India and Fiji.
As part of the efforts to take the MKAM celebrations beyond Suva, the High Commission of India in and Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) would be organizing a 2-day Indian Cultural Camp in Rakiraki on 07-08 October 2023. The Mission also has plans to organize Indian Film Festival, Cultural Exhibition, Trade Event, Afforestation Drive and also launch two bilateral development partnership projects in October 2023 as part of the celebration. Details of the individual events would be shared in due course on the website of the Mission (https://www.indiainfiji.gov.in/) and its social media accounts (Twitter - @HCI_Suva & Facebook - @IndiaInFiji).
The MKAM celebrations coming a few months after the historic meeting of the Hon. Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi with the Fijian Prime Minister H.E. Sitiveni Rabuka in Port Moresby during the FIPIC III Summit is a historic occasion to celebrate the special and enduring bond between the two nations and to take forward our partnership for progress and prosperity in to the future.
(Attached is the 12-step action plan announced by the Hon. Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi for the 14 Pacific Island Countries including Fiji during the 3rd Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) in Port Moresby on 22 May 2023.)
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Annexure
12-Step Action Plan announced by Hon. Prime Minister of India during the FIPIC III Summit (May 2023) to strengthen India-Pacific Island Countries Partnership.
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Building of a 100-bedded regional Super Specialty Hospital in Fiji
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Setting up a Regional IT and Cyber Security Training Hub in Papua New Guinea
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The Sagar Amrut Scholarships programme, which will award 1000 scholarships over the next five years
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Organization of a Jaipur foot camp in Papua New Guinea in 2023 and, thereafter, two camps annually in other PICs
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Implementation of the FIPIC SME development project
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The initiation of a Solar project to power government buildings
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Provision of Desalination units to address drinking water needs
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Supply of Sea ambulances
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Setting up Dialysis units
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Setting up an Emergency helpline number
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Establishment of Jan Aushadi Kendras (generic medicine centers)
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Setting up of Yoga centres
