Guwahati: Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, is set to undertake a significant five-day diplomatic tour, spanning New Zealand and Fiji from May 8th to 12th, as announced by the External Affairs Ministry. The primary objective of this visit is to bolster India’s bilateral relations with these key Pacific nations through high-level political engagements.
In New Zealand, Minister Margherita’s itinerary includes pivotal bilateral meetings with the nation’s political leadership. Additionally, he is scheduled to engage with prominent figures from the business community and interact with members of the Indian diaspora in Auckland, fostering stronger economic and cultural ties. The External Affairs Ministry highlighted the historically close and cordial relationship between India and New Zealand, rooted in shared values such as Commonwealth membership, common law practices, and a commitment to democratic governance. Both nations gained independence in the same year, and India established diplomatic representation in 1950, further cementing their enduring connection.
Moving to Fiji, Minister Margherita will grace the third Girmit Day ceremony as the Guest of Honour, a poignant event commemorating the arrival of Indian labourers under the indenture system, which began in 1879. The Minister’s agenda also includes crucial meetings with Fijian political leaders. The External Affairs Ministry detailed the historical context of India’s ties with Fiji, noting that between 1879 and 1916, approximately 60,553 Indians were brought to Fiji to work on sugarcane plantations. The indenture system was abolished in 1920, and India’s diplomatic presence in Fiji, established in 1948, was later upgraded to a High Commission after Fiji’s independence in 1970.
The External Affairs Ministry emphasized that India’s engagement with the Pacific region has witnessed significant diversification and strengthening through consistent bilateral interactions. Minister Margherita’s visit to Fiji and New Zealand is anticipated to further enhance India’s bilateral ties with the region, solidifying its commitment to fostering robust and mutually beneficial relationships.
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