Celebrating 75 years of India’s diplomatic presence in Fiji
THE first Commissioner of India to British Fiji, Shri S. A. Waiz arrived in Suva on October 2, 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 multifaceted 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 socioeconomic development of Fiji.
On October 2, 2023, the
High Commission of India in Suva celebrated this major milestone of 75 years of India’s Diplomatic presence in Fiji by organising a series of events under ‘Maitri Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ (MKAM) or ‘Friendship Festival’ initiative.
In partnership with various local authorities and partner organisations, the celebration covered major areas of India-Fiji bilateral cooperation including Agriculture, Healthcare, Trade and Commerce, Culture, Education, Capacity Building and Digital Partnership.
The MKAM campaign kicked off with a grand cultural event in Fiji National University on 02 October 2023 celebrating the rich, vibrant and diverse culture of India and Fiji. The event was graced by Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka as Chief Guest.
As part of the efforts to take the MKAM celebrations beyond Suva, the High Commission of India in and Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) organised Indian Cultural Camp in across Fiji from October – December 2023.
The Mission also organized a free Movie Screening of Sam Bahadur, Cultural Exhibition at the High Commission, Millets Food Contest, an ‘IndiaFiji Partnership for Prosperity’ Business Reception with Suva Retailers Association, Afforestation Drive at the Nasese Foreshore planting 500 mangrove plants in collaboration with Ministry of Forestry and ‘Taste of India’ — Authentic Indian Cuisine Cookery Show at the Fiji National University to name a few.
The Mission also launched two bilateral development partnership projects in October 2023 which included handing over of two mobile soil testing labs to the Ministry of Agriculture and launching of $F1.6 million project, fully funded by Government of India through India-UN Partnership Fund, providing insurance cover to 5000 vulnerable households.
The MKAM celebrations coming a few months after the historic meeting of the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi with the Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in Port Moresby during the FIPIC III Summit is a historic occasion celebrating the special and enduring bond between the two nations and take forward our partnership for progress and prosperity in to the future.