India and Fiji discuss maritime security, military and cyber training, defence industry collaboration and specialised naval training at a bilateral JWG meeting in New Delhi.
New Delhi: India and Fiji have discussed ways to deepen bilateral defence cooperation, with maritime security, military training, cyber training and defence industry collaboration featuring prominently at the second India-Fiji Bilateral Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting in New Delhi.
The talks focused on strengthening cooperation between the Armed Forces of the two countries through capacity building, service-to-service engagements and enhanced institutional mechanisms. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the expanding scope of defence engagements and reiterated their commitment to developing mutually beneficial areas of cooperation.
India also highlighted the importance it attaches to Fiji and the Pacific Island Countries under its vision of a free, open, inclusive and secure Indo-Pacific. The two countries reaffirmed their intention to expand cooperation across areas relevant to regional security and defence capabilities.
The meeting was co-chaired by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) in the Ministry of Defence, and Mason Smith, Permanent Secretary for Defence and Veterans Affairs of Fiji.
During his visit to New Delhi, Smith also met Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. Their discussions centred on strengthening bilateral defence and maritime cooperation, with particular attention to opportunities for greater collaboration in the defence industry.
As part of efforts to expand specialised military training, the Fijian delegation is scheduled to visit Kochi on September 29 and 30.
During the visit, the delegation will inspect facilities under the Southern Naval Command and explore opportunities to formalise cooperation in advanced naval training and professional aviation training modules. The proposed cooperation is aimed at enhancing technical proficiency and strengthening operational synergy between the maritime forces of the two countries.
The discussions on training form part of India's broader defence engagement with Fiji, with both sides looking to expand professional exchanges and capacity-building initiatives.
Before the bilateral talks, Mason Smith paid tribute to India's fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.
The Fijian delegation also visited DPSU Bhavan at the World Trade Centre, where it received a briefing on India's indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities. The visit provided an overview of developments under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The delegation was also shown exhibition displays and advanced Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) simulation facilities designed to replicate real-world battlefield conditions. The demonstrations highlighted India's growing focus on indigenous defence production, technology and simulation-based training.
India and Fiji share longstanding friendly relations supported by historical, cultural and people-to-people ties. Defence cooperation has emerged as an important component of the bilateral relationship, alongside broader engagement with Pacific Island countries.
The latest JWG meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to review existing defence cooperation and identify additional areas for collaboration. India and Fiji agreed to maintain regular engagements and work towards further strengthening their bilateral defence partnership.
