Fiji and India strengthen ties through trade, IT and support for farmers

India is deepening its engagement with Fiji across key areas such as trade, investment, information technology and agriculture, with a strong focus on research-based cooperation and knowledge sharing.

Director General of the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), Sachin Kumar Sharma, made these comments during an interview with fijivillage News at the organisation’s office in Lodhi Road, New Delhi.

                                                       

RIS, which was established in 1983, serves as a platform for policy dialogue and capacity-building among developing countries on global and regional economic issues.

Sharma says India is sharing its agricultural best practices with the Fiji Government and working with farmers, as both countries have many similarities in their farming sectors.

He explains that many farmers in India and Fiji have low incomes and face similar challenges.

The Director General says one of the main areas of cooperation is understanding how governments in India reach farmers and deliver support, and how these practices can be shared with Fiji.

He further says that RIS is also supporting Fiji through research on agricultural exports, such as Fiji’s turmeric exports, where the organisation is studying the challenges faced by farmers and exporters, including meeting international standards and the need for capacity-building programmes.

Sharma says these efforts show how India and Fiji are working closely together, using research, technology and shared experience to strengthen development cooperation and support farmers in Fiji.

                                               

He says through its centre, Dakshin, RIS is sharing knowledge, offering research inputs and setting up mechanisms to fund selected projects in Fiji.

Sharma says the organisation has signed memorandums of association with many think tanks, including partners in Fiji.

He says that these partnerships have enabled RIS to work with Fiji in areas such as agriculture, health diplomacy and digital development, as well as through collaborations with various universities in the country.

Sharma adds that Fiji and India are mainly working together on economic matters, including development cooperation and research across a range of areas such as agriculture, health and diplomacy, with digital cooperation also a key focus.