Indian President Smt. Droupadi Murmu was awarded the Companion of the Order of Fiji on 6 August 2024. Fiji’s President Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere conferred upon President Murmu the country’s highest civilian award. She was awarded the same during her two-day visit to Fiji. This is the first time an Indian head of state has visited the archipelago nation. On arrival, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka ceremonially welcomed her.
President Ratu received her at the State House, Suva, Fiji’s capital. Both leaders took stock of the bilateral relations between the two countries and discussed ways to further the same. President Murmu also went through the progress of the India-initiated project ‘Solarization of Heads of State Residences’ (SOHS). The SOHS program aims to install solar power at the residences of leaders in the Pacific Islands Development Forum member countries, which includes Fiji.
President Murmu addressed the Fijian Parliament. She highlighted that India and Fiji have considerable differences in the size of the respective nations yet have many similarities, including a vibrant democracy. He reminisced about Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s speech in the Fijian Parliament ten years ago, where he had emphasised the shared values of “our democracy, the diversity of our societies, our creed that all human beings are equal, and our commitment to the liberty, dignity and rights of every individual”. She stressed the continuing importance of these values as the beacon of further bilateral relations.
Appreciating Fiji’s peaceful life, President Murmu noted that the world has a lot to learn from Fiji. She praised Fiji’s gentle way of life, multicultural environment, and deep-rooted respect for customs and traditions. All these factors make Fiji an exemplary country in a conflict-ridden world and the choicest destination to escape one’s mundane worries.
Fijian PM Sitiveni Rabuka called on President Murmu and agreed to build on the historic ties and strengthen the partnership between the two nations. Both dignitaries oversaw a ceremony to hand over the documents for the allocation of project sites for (i) the High Commission of India Chancery and Indian Cultural Centre Complex, Suva, and (ii) the 100-bed Super Speciality Cardiology Hospital, Suva. President Murmu expressed her belief that the Super Specialty Hospital would cater to the needs of the people in Fiji and the neighbouring Pacific countries.
President Murmu vocalised India’s commitment to climate justice. She remarked that India, a powerful voice of the Global South, would continue to press on developed countries for climate finance and technology. She also agreed to stand with Fiji and other ocean countries in their fight for climate justice. She added, “As India emerges strongly on the global stage, we stand ready to partner with Fiji, according to your priorities, to build a stronger, resilient, and more prosperous nation.” President Murmu stressed the necessity of strengthening the partnership between both nations for the mutual benefit of the people of both countries.
President Murmu addressed the Indian community in Fiji. She recounted the 145-year-old history of ‘girmitiyas’, another name for the Indian diaspora in Fiji, who were embraced by the host country. She added that the Indian diaspora forms a bridge between the two cultures and has contributed to Fiji’s development.
President Murmu also paid floral tributes to the War Memorial at Suva. She garlanded the bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School in Suva and interacted with its students.
The Companion of the Order of Fiji is the highest accolade Fiji accords to an individual to honour their achievement and service to humanity. On 23 May 2023, PM Modi was the recipient of the award. President Murmu hailed the award as a testimony to the deep relationship between India and Fiji. Fiji was President Murmu’s first stop during her State visits to Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste.
