Maritime News India : In a significant step towards enhancing global maritime safety and strengthening international defence cooperation, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh held bilateral meetings with the Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs of the Republic of Fiji, Pio Tikoduadua, and the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs of South Sudan, Lt Gen Chol Thon J Balok, ahead of Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
The discussions underscored India’s commitment to fostering deeper strategic ties with both nations while promoting regional security, economic growth, and peacekeeping collaborations.
Enhanced Cooperation with Fiji
During his meeting with the Fijian Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh warmly welcomed him on his maiden visit to India. Both leaders acknowledged the positive trajectory of defence cooperation and agreed to expand and diversify their collaboration. A key outcome of the discussions was the decision to institutionalize the India-Fiji Joint Working Group on Defence Cooperation, originally outlined in the 2017 MoU on Defence Cooperation.
In a major move to strengthen maritime security, both countries committed to augmenting Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) to ensure safety and security in their respective waters. This includes protecting Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), enhancing naval capacity building, and intensifying training cooperation for UN peacekeepers and defence personnel. With Fiji being a prominent member of the Pacific Island Countries, this partnership is expected to elevate India’s presence and influence in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region.
Bolstering Ties with South Sudan
In his meeting with South Sudan’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh expressed appreciation for South Sudan’s participation in Aero India 2025, reflecting the growing engagement between the two nations. Recognizing India’s significant contributions to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), both sides agreed to initiate and expedite efforts towards a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive forward defence cooperation.
A key highlight of the meeting was the mutual agreement to strengthen training exchanges and enhance industry partnerships. The South Sudanese delegation acknowledged India’s unwavering support in peacekeeping operations and expressed interest in expanding relations through knowledge-sharing and joint capacity-building initiatives.
A Stronger Global Footprint for India
These high-level discussions reflect India’s proactive role in shaping international defence cooperation and maritime security. By fostering strategic partnerships with nations like Fiji and South Sudan, India is reinforcing its commitment to global peace, stability, and economic security. The agreements pave the way for greater defence industry collaboration, technological advancements, and shared expertise, ultimately benefiting all stakeholders involved.
As India gears up for Aero India 2025, these bilateral engagements reaffirm the country’s standing as a trusted partner in global defence and maritime security, marking a new era of strengthened ties with key nations.
