President Droupadi Murmu was on Tuesday conferred the Companion of the Order of Fiji, the country's highest civilian award, as she hailed the ties between the two countries and said India stands ready to partner with Fiji to෴ build a stronger, resilient, and more prosperous nation.
"President Ratu Wiliame Maiva▨lili Katonivere of Fiji conferred the Companion of the Order of Fiji upon President ඣDroupadi Murmu. This is the highest civilian award of Fiji," the President's Office said in a post on X.
Murmu, who is on a two-day visit to Fiji, described the honour as "a reflectiꦕon of the deep ties of friendship" between India and Fiji. This is the first visit by an Indian head of state to the archipelago nation.
President Murmu also addressed the Fijian Parliame🐲nt.
"As India emerges strongly on the global stage, we stand ready to partner with Fiji, according to your priorities, to build a stronger, more resilient, and more prosperous nation. Let us come together to unlock the full potential in our partnership for the mutual benefit of people of bot♔h our beloved countries," she said while add꧋ressing the Parliament.
She said that despite the vast difference in size, India and Fiji have much in common, including vibrant democracies. She recalled that almost 10 years ago, speaking in this same Hall, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had🐻 underlined some basic values that unꦏite India and Fiji.
"These include, 'our d𝓀emocracy, the diversity of our societies, our creed that all human beings are equal, and our commitment to the liberty, dignity and rights of every individual'. These shared values are eternal, and shall continue to guide us ahead," she said
"꧒In my short time here, I can see that the rest of the world has so much to learn from Fiji. The gentle Fijian way of life, the deep-rooted respect for traditions and customs, and an open and multicultural environment make Fiji so special in an increasingly conflict-ridden world. No wonder, Fiji is the place where the rest of the world comes to find its happiness," she said.
She said she was confident that the newly announced projects, including the Super Specialty Cardiology Hospital to be established in Suva, would help to meet the priority needs ✱of the people of Fiji and the wider Pacific region.
She also said that it is hear﷽tening to know how the “Girmitiyas” and their descenda💦nts have been embraced by Fiji when they first arrived here.
"More than 145 years ago, destiny bound our two countries t𓆉ogether when 'Indentured' workers first arrived on the shores of Fiji Islands from India," s🐲he said.
"Though their early life here was filled with danger and hardship, it is heartening to know how the “Girmitiyas” and their descendants have been embraced by this country. In return, they have con๊tributed immensely to the building of their new homeland through their hard work and diligence."
Ear♍lier, President Murmu was warmly received by President Katonivere at State House where the two leaders discu👍ssed ways to deepen the bilateral ties.
"At State House, President Droupadi Murmu also witnessed the progress of the 'Solarisation of Heads of State Resꦜidences' project, an Indian initiative which was inaugurated in February last year," her office said i꧙n a post on X.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabꩵuka called on President Murmu and the two leaders held wide-ranging discussions and agreed to build upon the historic ties and strengthen the partnership between the two countries.
She also addressed the Indian community here and thanked the governm👍ent of Fiji for conferring her൲ with the highest civilian award.
Addressing the Indian community, she saiꦓd "You came 145 years ago, yet you have not forgotten your culture, your language, your tradition, your lifestyle. That's why I thank you so much."
"With your hard w💝ork, discipline and values, ??you have been successful in all areas of life."
She also said that the Indian diaspora has been a living bridge in the prﷺocess of strengthening the friendship between the two countries.
"The Fijian Indian community...have helped in the dev♏elopment of this great country," which, she said, in turn, has contributed to "the bui🍸lding of hope in the Pacific region."
From F🌺iji, Murmu will travel to New Zealand and Timor-Leste. Her six-day three-nation visit aims to take India's Act East Policy forward, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
