Minister for Defence Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, and Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander, Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto will attend the Asia Security Summit in Singapore on Friday.

Also known as the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, the forum is Asia’s premiere defence summit, a meeting of ministers and delegates from over 50 countries.

The keynote address will be made by Australian Prime Minister, Malcom Turnbull. The first day of the summit, Friday June 2, is dedicated to bilateral meetings between Defence Ministers and officials.

Fiji can expect to release statements on defence and security co-operation during the meet.

Since its launch in 2002 the Dialogue has fostered practical security co-operation, by facilitating easy communication and fruitful contact among the region’s most important defence and security policymakers.

The summit will run from June 2 to 4.

Minister of Defence and National Security Ratu Inoke Kubuabola reviews the Tri-Services Guard of Honour in New Delhi, India Photo PTI

Indian Defence Minister Arun Jaitley and Minister of Defence and National Security, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola on May 29,2017

Meanwhile, yesterday in New Delhi, Ratu Inoke signed an agreement that provides for stepping up defence and security ties including in defence production and military training with his Indian counterpart, Arun Jaitley.

“The two ministers also discussed expanded defence partnership in maritime security between both the countries, and naval co-operation was identified as an area of promise,” a Indian Defence ministry statement said.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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