EAM Jaishankar to visit Fiji and Australia from February 15

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit Fiji from February 15-17 to attend the 12th World Hindi Conference. The conference is being co-hosted by the governments of India and Fiji in Nadi.

EAM Jaishankar and Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka will inaugurate the 12th World Hindi Conference in Nadi in Fiji on February 15. The conference is expected to draw representatives from 50 countries.

This will be EAM Jaishankar's first visit to Fiji. The visit will also be the first incoming ministerial delegation to Fiji after the formation of the new government in December 2022, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday.

In addition to attending the World Hindi Conference, EAM Jaishankar is also scheduled to have bilateral meetings with the new leadership of Fiji. This visit follows closely after the recent high-level visit to India by Fiji's Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad earlier this month.

India and Fiji have built strong collaboration in a number of areas, including commerce, culture, and education, throughout the years, which has helped to enhance their bilateral ties. The forthcoming 12-day World Hindi Conference, which will begin on February 15, is another cooperative endeavor between India and Fiji to strengthen their relationship.

After Fiji, EAM Jaishankar will head to Sydney, Australia, on February 18. This will be his third visit to the country as External Affairs Minister since February 2022. He will hold meetings with the Australian leadership and attend the Raisina@Sydney Conference, which will be held for the first time in Australia, the MEA said.

For many years, India and Australia have maintained a steady bilateral relationship that has been characterized by growing interaction in the fields of politics, economy, security, and culture.

Both nations have made efforts in recent years to strengthen their ties, and in 2020 the bilateral relationship was upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This has created new chances for collaboration in several fields including commerce and investment, education and research, and security and defence.

EAM Jaishankar's visit to Fiji and Australia highlights India's commitment to strengthening its ties with nations in the region and beyond.