Jaishankar Extends Independence Day Greetings to Fiji, Reaffirms Commitment to Stronger Bilateral Ties

New Delhi, October 10, 2026: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday extended Independence Day greetings to the government and people of Fiji, reaffirming India’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

In a post on X, Jaishankar conveyed his wishes to Fiji’s Foreign Minister, Sakiasi Ditoka, and the people of the island nation.

“Warm greetings to FM Sakiasi Ditoka, the Government and people of the Republic of Fiji on their Independence Day,” Jaishankar wrote, adding that India remained committed to deepening the two countries’ “strong and enduring friendship”.

The greetings come amid continued engagement between India and Pacific Island nations. Last month, Jaishankar met Ditoka and other leaders from Pacific Island countries and the Caribbean community on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Earlier, Jaishankar chaired the second Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC), where participating countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation with India.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), discussions focused on key areas, including renewable energy, climate action, disaster resilience, education, healthcare and capacity building.

The meeting was attended by senior representatives from several Pacific Island nations, including Fiji, Samoa, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu, along with ministers and officials from other countries in the region. The Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum also participated.

The leaders reviewed progress in India-Pacific cooperation and welcomed the implementation of the 12-Point Action Plan announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023.

Following the meeting, Jaishankar said India’s engagement with the Pacific region continued to be guided by a demand-driven, development-oriented and people-centric approach.

India and Fiji share longstanding historical and cultural ties, with cooperation spanning development assistance, education, healthcare, climate resilience and people-to-people exchanges. Jaishankar’s message underscored New Delhi’s continued emphasis on strengthening its partnership with Fiji and other Pacific Island nations.