Fiji PM meets Modi

Fiji Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Thursday during the course of which the two leaders discussed a number of bilateral issues.

Modi expressed his condolences for the loss of life in Fiji due to the Category 5 Cyclone Winston, which struck the Pacific island nation on February 20, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

"The Prime Minister said that India stood ready to provide all possible assistance to Fiji in the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts," it stated.

Bainimarama thanked Modi for the $1 million assistance and 45 tonnes of relief material provided by India in the immediate aftermath of the cyclone.

"The prime minister reaffirmed his commitment made at the 2nd FIPIC (Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation) Summit in Jaipur in August 2015, to strengthen cooperation in disaster management with all Pacific island countries, including through the establishment of a space technology applications centre for the region," the PMO statement said.

"The two leaders also discussed avenues for strengthening bilateral cooperation in solar and renewable energy, agriculture, education and health," it added.

--IANS

ab/vm