India, Fiji clinch visa pact to facilitate greater travel

India and Fiji signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports.

Indian Minister S. Jaishankar and Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka witnessed the MoU exchange.

Jaishankar on the occasion said: "I just signed and exchanged the visa waiver agreement. It will be helpful in encouraging greater travel between our two countries."

Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka called the MoU exchange a landmark achievement and said positive discussions were held today to further advance mutual cooperation in key areas of development notably in health and education.

"On behalf of the government of Fiji, I thank the government of India for realising this important cooperation. I'm confident that we will witness many more such initiatives unfolding through the deepening of our cooperation," Rabuka said.

Minister Jaishankar on February 16 was given a warm welcome in the Parliament of Fiji, which is currently in session.

As a result of the visa exemption, diplomatic and official passport holders in India and Fiji will now be able to enter, transit through, stay and leave each other's territories without a visa for a period not exceeding 90 days.
The exemption will allow both countries easier access to opportunities for collaboration, discussions and meetings at all levels.

Jaishankar is currently on an official visit to the South Pacific country to attend the 12th World Hindi Conference, a three-day event which is being co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Fiji government and had begun on February 15.

(ANI)