'Bad Manners To...': Fiji PM On Discussing China With Jaishankar, Calls India 'Special Friend'
Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka said that India has always stood by his country and that it will always be a 'special friends and trust partner'.
New Delhi: The Prime Minister of Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka on Thursday said that no discussion was held on China during his interaction with External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar. Responding to a question if China was discussed, he said 'it was bad manners to talk about somebody who is not in the building'.
"We thought it was bad manners to talk about somebody who is not in the building. We spoke about our own cooperation & we're very fortunate to have such a great power & economy talking to us," Rabuka said as quoted by ANI.
He added that Fiji has great old friends and there are ‘no really new friends in the region’.
"We have great old friends and there is really no need to look for new friends. There are no really new friends in this region. We have been friends with India, we have been friends with China. We'll continue our relationship," Fiji PM said.
PM Rabuka also hailed India as its ‘special friend and trusted partner’. He said that India stood by his country in times of great need and will always be a special friend and trusted partner.
"I'm pleased to say that India will always be a special friend and trusted partner to Fiji," the Fiji Prime Minister said during a joint press statement with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Suva, Fiji, reported ANI.
He added, "Together we've built a robust multifaceted partnership which covers cooperation in all major areas of nation-building. India has stood by us in times of great need. We're grateful to GoI for supporting us through the provision of life-saving vaccines and humanitarian assistance."
Rabuka went on to appreciate PM Modi and the Indian government for their support in co-hosting the 12th World Hindi conference in Fiji.
He said, "Fiji appreciates India's commitment towards the development of our pacific region through collective priorities. We are more resolved now than ever to build a strong and sustainable future for families in Fiji, the Pacific and beyond."
According to ANI, he added, "On behalf of Govt 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."
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