External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Wednesday met with Fiji Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad and discussed further advancing India-Fiji ties through developmental cooperation.

“Great to meet @FijiGovernmen DPM @bimanprasad in Nadi shortly after our meeting in New Delhi. Discussed further advancing our long-standing ties through our development cooperation,” Jaishankar tweeted.

The EAM visited Fiji’s Nadi city where he inaugurated the 12th Vishwa Hindu Sammelan. Fiji’s President, Ratu Williame Maivalili Katonivere was also present during the event.

Jaishankar reached Fiji on Tuesday wherein he was welcomed by the country’s education minister Aseri Radrodro.

“Bula and Namaste Fiji. The 12th #VishwaHindiSammelan will begin from tomorrow in Nadi. Thank Minister of Education Aseri Radrodro for the warm welcome. Look forward to meeting Hindi enthusiasts from all over the world,” he had tweeted.

At the 12th Vishwa Hindu Sammelan, the Union Minister stressed on the promotion of Hindi language across the world.

"In events like World Hindi Conference, it is natural that our focus should be on various aspects of the Hindi language, its global use, and its dissemination. We will discuss issues like the status of Hindi in Fiji, the Pacific region and indentured countries," said Jaishankar.

"The era when we equated progress & modernity with westernization is behind us. Many such languages and traditions which were suppressed during the colonial era are again raising their voice on the global stage," he said.

He said that it is necessary that the world should know about all cultures and societies. "In such a situation, it is necessary that the world should know about all the cultures and societies," added EAM Jaishankar.

Jaishankar also thanked the Government of Fiji for organising the 12th Vishwa Hindi Sammelan in Nadi and said that events like these promote a longstanding relationship between the two nations.

Image courtesy: BW Business World