Modi meets Fiji PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in renewable energy, agriculture, education and health with his visiting Fijian counterpart, Rear Admiral (retd.) Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, an official statement said.

A PMO release said that Modi expressed his condolences for the loss of life in Fiji due to the cyclone Winston, which struck the Pacific island nation in February, and that India stood ready to provide all possible assistance in rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.

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

The Indian prime minister reaffirmed his commitment, made at the second Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit in Jaipur in August 2015, to strengthen cooperation in disaster management with all Pacific island countries, including through setting up space technology applications centre for the region.

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

--IANS

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