In Bengaluru, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh meets bilaterally with colleagues from Fiji and South Sudan
Bengaluru: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met bilaterally with South Sudan’s Defence and Veteran Affairs Minister Lt Gen Chol Thon J Balok and the Republic of Fiji’s Defence and Veteran Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua ahead of Aero India 2025. The gatherings took place on Sunday.
On his first trip to India, the defense minister met the defense minister from Fiji. According to an official announcement from the Ministry of Defense, both parties expressed satisfaction with the current defense cooperation and decided to further strengthen and broaden it.
Had appreciative meeting with the Defence Minister of Fiji, Mr. Pio Tikoduadua in Bengaluru. Discussed ways and means to further deepen defence cooperation. We agreed to institutionalize India-Fiji Joint Working Group (JWG) on Defence Cooperation. pic.twitter.com/wu1N97ID9z
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) February 9, 2025
As outlined in the 2017 Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation, India and Fiji have decided to formalize the India-Fiji Joint Working Group on Defence Cooperation. In order to secure the Exclusive Economic Zone, increase naval capability, and provide training for defense civilians and UN soldiers, they agreed to strengthen Maritime Domain Awareness. The goal of this visit is to advance India’s expanding relationship with Fiji, a significant Pacific Island nation.
Singh congratulated the South Sudanese defense minister for taking part in Aero India 2025 during their meeting. In order to properly guide their defense cooperation, the parties decided to start and accelerate the process of drafting a Memorandum of Understanding.
India’s assistance in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan was recognized by the South Sudanese side. In addition to extending ties via business collaborations, both parties decided to collaborate for improved training exchanges.
On social media, Singh also posted tidbits of his meeting with peers from Sudan and Fiji.
“Had an appreciative meeting with Fiji’s Defence Minister, Mr. Pio Tikoduadua, in Bengaluru,” Singh said on social media on X. Discussed strategies to strengthen defense collaboration even further. We decided to formally establish the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Defence Cooperation between India and Fiji.
“Met with the South Sudanese Defense Minister Lt Gen Chol Thon J. Balok on the sidelines of AERO India 2025,” the defense minister said in another tweet. The current defense collaboration, including the UN peacekeeping cooperation, was evaluated.
Today marks the opening of the 15th edition of the biggest aerospace and defense show in Asia at Bengaluru’s Yelahanka Air Force Station.
“Aero India is an essential platform that advances the government’s objective of a “strong, competent, safe and self-reliant India,” Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday in Bangalore.
