President Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere presented President Droupadi Murmu with “The Order of Fiji,” Fiji’s highest civilian award. This honour was given to her during her historic three-day state visit to Fiji, which was the first by an Indian head of state.
Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East) of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, emphasised the honour’s significance, citing President Murmu’s address to the Fijian Parliament and interactions with the Indian community in Suva. When she arrived, the Fiji Military Police presented her with a Guard of Honour, and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and exuberant schoolchildren greeted her warmly.
President Murmu’s meetings with President Katonivere and Prime Minister Rabuka were on boosting India-Fiji relations, which included discussions about mutual trust and cooperation. They visited a solarisation project at the State House to demonstrate India’s development partnership with Fiji.
This visit to Fiji is the first leg of President Murmu’s three-nation tour, which also includes New Zealand and Timor-Leste. She will visit New Zealand from August 7-9 to meet with Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
In Timor-Leste, she will meet with President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Kay Rala “Xanana” Gusmao. The journey demonstrates India’s commitment to its Act East Policy and strengthens ties with these countries.
