Acting-Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto met with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, at the opening dinner ceremony of the International Fleet Review that was held in Visakhatnam, India last Friday.

Mr Modi welcomed the Fijian delegation to the fleet review and wished the country well on its naval operations.

He specifically thanked the Fijian Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, and was looking forward to meeting with him again to improve the flourishing Fijian-Indian relations.

The Fleet Review is an international military exercise hosted and conducted by the Indian Navy on behalf of the President of India.

Its objective is to enhance mutual trust and confidence with neighbouring navies by inviting their ships to participate in the event.

The last International Fleet Review was held in January 2001 in Mumbai. Both domestic and international speakers spoke during the two-day conference.

The theme for the conference was ‘Partnering Together for a Secure Maritime Future’.

This was the first ever fleet review attended by the Fijian Navy. Rear Admiral Naupoto has assured that Fiji would continue to attend such events.

Fiji’s High Commissioner to India Yogesh Karan said a high level Government delegation from the Defence Ministry are expected to visit Fiji later this month to discuss further collaboration and strengthening with the Fijian Navy.

It is expected that the delegation will meet with Mr Bainimarama as he had discussed the importance of enhancing the Navy during his bi-lateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi in India during the Forum on India-Pacific Island Countries Summit last year.

The RFMF Acting-Commander was accompanied by the first secretary of the Fijian High Commission in India, Sakeasi Waikere, Captain John Fox and Ben Salacakau from the Fijian Navy.

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