India to gift 12 agricultural drones, two mobile soil testing labs to Fiji

Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi announced that India will gift 12 agricultural drones and two mobile soil testing laboratories to Fiji as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation. The announcement was made during a joint press statement with Honourable Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, Mr Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka. Highlighting India’s commitment to health and agriculture, he said a 100-bed super specialty hospital will be built in Suva, along with the provision of dialysis units, sea ambulances, and the opening of Jan Aushadhi Kendras to supply affordable medicines. He also confirmed that a ‘Jaipur Foot’ camp will be organised in Fiji to support persons with disabilities.
In the agricultural sector, he announced that the drones and soil testing labs will enhance innovation and productivity in Fiji’s sugar industry. India will also send an ITEC expert to the Fiji Sugar Corporation and organise training programmes for Fijian sugar professionals. Several Memorandum of understandings (MoUs) were signed to deepen cooperation, including agreements between the Fiji Development Bank and India’s National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) on rural development and agricultural financing, between the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Fiji’s Department of National Trade Measurement and Standards; and between India’s National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) and Fiji’s Pacific Polytechnic on capacity building. Other agreements covered cooperation between the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF), and the supply of medicines under the Jan Aushadhi Scheme. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to peace, climate justice, inclusive development, and amplifying the voice of the Global South.

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