Fiji has been allotted a prime portion of land in Chanakyapuri, in New Delhi, India for its chancery in a key diplomatic enclave. It is worth millions of dollars.

Such a gesture on India’s part shows the importance it is placing on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to build a lasting relationship with Fiji.

Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola said Fiji appreciated India’s gesture.

“The Government of Fiji welcomes the decision of the Indian government on the reciprocal arrangement of land.

“While such reciprocity is a norm in many diplomatic relations between nations, the issue of commercials do not form any part of negotiations while securing land for the building of the country’s chancery.”

He said Fiji considered the arrangement as an excellent way to further strengthen our diplomatic relations, our 135 years of friendship and historical relations that “so kindly exists between Fiji and India.”

Fiji has also provided land to India for its chancery to be built here.

“I am pleased to inform that the Fijian Government regards this reciprocity very timely and an important one as we were able to allocate land that is a portion of our heritage site with invaluable commercial value.”

Despite some criticism in India that such a prime piece of land in a sought-after Delhi locality should not be given to Fiji, discussions on this took place when Mr Modi was in the country last week.

Work on the chancery is expected to begin next year.

PM Thanks

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has expressed his appreciation on behalf of the Government and people of Fiji to the Prime Minister of India, Hon. Shri Narendra Modi for his recent visit on November 19.

He said: “I am convinced that our bilateral and multilateral discussions found many opportunities of co-operation and development between Fiji – India and the Pacific as our nations share fundamental values of individual freedom, rule of law, religious diversity and electoral democracy.”

PM Bainimarama said the address given by Shri Modi to the Fijian parliament added dimension to democracy, economic development, innovation and prosperity to the Pacific region.

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