Droupadi Murmu, The President of India, was on a 3-nation visit to Fiji, New Zealand and Timor Leste from 5th August to 10th August 2024.
- She started the 1st leg of her visit with Fiji from 5th to 6th August 2024 at the invitation of Ratu Wiliame Maivalli Katonivere, President of Fiji. This marks the 1st-ever visit by a Head of State (HoS) from India to Fiji.
- On 2nd leg of her tour, she visited New Zealand from 8th August to 9th August 2024.
- President Droupadi Murmi concluded her 3-nation visit on 10th August 2024 by visiting the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste at the invitation of Jose Ramos-Horta, President of Timor-Leste.
Highlights of President Murmu Visit to Fiji:
On 6th August 2024, President Droupadi Murmu arrived at Suva, Fiji from Nadi. She was received by Sitiveni Rabuka, PM of Fiji at the airport and was accorded ceremonial guard of honour by the Military Force of Fiji.
- She was accompanied by the Union Minister of State (MoS) for the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) and MoS, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D), George Kurien and two members of Lok Sabha, Saumitra Khan and Jugal Kishore.
President Murmu honoured with Companion of the Order of Fiji
On 6th August 2024, President Droupadi Murmu was honoured with the Companion of the Order of Fiji, highest civilian honour of Fiji. The award was presented by Fiji President Katonivere during the bilateral meeting with his counterpart at the State House in Suva, Fiji.
Key Points:
i.During the bilateral meeting, leaders of both countries discussed ways to further strengthen the India-Fiji relationship.
ii.President Murmu reaffirmed India’s commitment to bolster the relations between the two countries and development partnership with Pacific Island Countries (PICs), among which Fiji is an important partner.
iii.She also witnessed the progress of the ‘Solarisation of Heads of State Residences’ project, an Indian initiative which was launched in February, 2023. Later, she addressed the Parliament of Fiji in Suva, the capital city of Fiji.
President Murmu held Bilateral Meeting with Fijian PM Sitiveni Rabuka in Suva
President Droupadi Murmu held bilateral meeting with Sitiven Rabuka, PM of Fiji in Suva, Fiji. During the meeting, both the leaders held discussions on wide-range of areas and agreed to build upon the historic ties and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
Key Points:
i.President Murmu mentioned that India is committed to deepening its development partnership with Fiji, focuses mainly on building climate resilience and development of clean and renewable energy.
ii.Later, both the leaders presided over a ceremony for handing over of documents for allocation of project sites: High Commission of India Chancery and Indian Cultural Complex (ICC), Suva; and 100-bed Super Speciality Hospital in Suva (Fiji).
iii.President Droupadi Murmu also addressed gathering of Indian Diaspora Community in Suva (Fiji). While addressing the gathering, she highlighted the determination and resilience of the “Grimitiya” indentured labourers who came to Fiji 145 years ago and flourished in their new motherland against all odds, is a great source of inspiration to the world.
Highlights of President Murmu visit to New Zealand:
On 7th August 2024, President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Auckland, New Zealand, on the second leg of her 3-nation visit. She was received by Toddy McClay, Minister for Agriculture, Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Government of New Zealand and Neeta Bushan, Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand.
- She visited the New Zealand at the invitation of Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor General of New Zealand.
India and New Zealand Signed Customs Co-operation Arrangement to Ease Trade
On 8th August 2024, India and New Zealand signed the bilateral customs co-operation arrangement agreement, to ease trade between the two countries. The agreement was signed in Wellington, New Zealand during President Droupadi Murmu’s two-day official visit to New Zealand.
- This agreement is the outcome of series of bilateral meetings that President Murmu held with PM Christopher Luxon and Deputy PM and Foreign Affairs Minister Vinston Peters at Government House in Wellington, New Zealand.
Key Outcomes:
i.New Zealand has ratified the International Solar Alliance (ISA) which paves the way for enhanced opportunities for joint research and development in the field of solar energy.
ii.Also, both the countries agreed to share the best practices in the field of traditional medicine through the Global Centre for traditional medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat (India).
President Murmu Addressed New Zealand International Education Conference
On 8th August 2024, President Droupadi Murmu addressed the New Zealand International Conference held in Wellington, New Zealand, where India was the ‘Country Honour’ for year 2024.
- While, addressing the conference, President Droupadi Murmu elaborated on the rich Indian tradition of pursuit knowledge and the contemporary progress in the field of education, including the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 of India which aimed to transform the Indian education landscape by promoting multi disciplinary learning, critical thinking, and global competitiveness.
- She emphasized more on educational exchanges and collaborations between the institutions, particularly in the field of: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), vocational and skills based training, among others.
Other Important Engagements:
i.President Droupadi Murmu laid a wreath at Phakeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington, New Zealand on 8th August, 2024.
ii.Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu was received by Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor General of New Zealand with a traditional Maori “Pōwhiri” ceremony in Wellington, New Zealand. She was also accorded the Guard of Honour.
iii.On 9th August 2024, President Droupadi Murmu announced the opening of a Consulate in Auckland, New Zealand during a reception hosted by the High Commission of India in Auckland. The new consulate will strengthen diplomatic ties with New Zealand and facilitate the diaspora.
Highlights of President Murmu Visit to Timor Leste
On 10th August 2024, President Droupadi Murmu reached at Dili, capital city of Timor Leste, on the last leg of her 3-nation visit, after concluding her visit to Fiji and New Zealand. This also marks the 1st-ever visit by a Head of State (HoS) from India to Timor Leste, a South East (SE)Asian nation.
- She was received by Jose Ramos-Horta, President of Timor-Leste. She was accorded ceremonial reception and guard of honour in Presidential Palace, Dili, Timor Leste.
Key Engagements:
i.President Droupadi Murmu held bilateral meeting with her counterpart President Horta at Presidential Palace. During the meeting, leader of both countries held discussions on various areas such as: Information Technology (IT), healthcare, agriculture, and capacity building.
ii.President Droupadi Murmu was honoured with the Grand Collar of Order of Timor Leste, the country’s highest civilian honour, presented by President Horta at ceremony held in Dili, Timor Leste.
- The award was given in recognition of her exceptional achievements in public service, and dedication to education, social welfare and empowerment of women.
iii.Later, President Murmu held a bilateral meeting with Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister (PM) of Timor Leste. Both the leaders held discussions on various fields of cooperation like: defence and security cooperation, connectivity, trade, tourism, among others.
- Also, both the leaders witnessed the signing of 3 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)’s on: cultural exchanges; collaboration between Prasar Bharti and ‘Timor-Leste Radio and Television’ (RRTL); and exemption from visa requirement for holders of diplomatic, official and service passports.
About Fiji:
President- Ratu Wiliame Maivalli Katonivere
Currency- Fijian Dollar (FJD)
Capital- Suva
About New Zealand:
Prime Minister (PM)- Christopher Luxon
Currency- New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
Capital- Welington
About Democratic Republic of Timor Leste:
President– Dr. Jose Ramos Horta
Currecncy– United States Dollar (USD)
Capital– Dili
