Indian President Droupadi Murmu will undertake a state visit to Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste from 05-10 August 2024.
This will be the first-ever visit by a Head of State from India to Fiji and Timor Leste, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in its announcement on Monday.
The visit to Fiji on 5-6 August, 2024 comes at the invitation of President Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere.
While in Fiji, President Murmu will be holding bilateral meetings with President Katonivere and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
She is also scheduled to address the Fijian Parliament and interact with the Indian diaspora in Fiji.
The visit reflects India’s continued commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations with Fiji, the MEA noted.
On the second leg of her visit, President Murmu will visit New Zealand on 07-09 August 2024 at the invitation of Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro. During the State Visit, President Murmu will hold a bilateral meeting with Governor General Kiro and meet Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
President Murmu will also address an education conference and interact with the Indian community and friends of India. The visit will provide further impetus to India-New Zealand bilateral relations, the MEA said.
President Murmu will visit Timor-Leste on 10 August, 2024 at the invitation of President José Ramos-Horta. There she will hold a bilateral meeting with President Horta and the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala “Xanana” Gusmão.
In addition, President Murmu will interact with members of the Indian diaspora community. This will be the first ever Head of State visit from India to Timor-Leste.
“The state visit by President Murmu to Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste underscore the importance India attaches to our bilateral relations with these countries and reflects our strong focus on the Act East Policy which was announced by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ten years ago at the 9th East Asia Summit in 2014,” the MEA stated.
