New Delhi: Biman Prasad, the Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji, has embarked on a significant journey to India, starting with a week-long visit that commenced on Sunday. During this visit, Prasad is set to become the first foreign leader to pay respects at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Arriving in New Delhi late on Sunday night, Prasad was warmly received by Paramita Tripathi, representing the Ministry of External Affairs' JS Indo Pacific. The welcoming gesture underscores the strengthening ties between India and Fiji.

Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, expressed excitement about advancing the relationship between India and Fiji. In a post on social media platform X, Jaiswal extended a warm welcome to Deputy PM Biman Prasad, highlighting the significance of his official visit to New Delhi.

Prasad, who also holds key portfolios including Minister of Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development, and Statistics in Fiji, is scheduled to be in India from February 4 to 10, departing on February 11. During his stay, he is slated to meet with Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs and Education, on Monday, followed by discussions with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

The Deputy Prime Minister's itinerary includes participation in a program in the national capital on February 6, followed by a visit to Goa on February 7 for another event. The highlight of his visit will be on February 8 when he is set to visit Ayodhya, marking a historic moment in diplomatic relations between Fiji and India.

Before departing for Ahmedabad on February 9, Prasad is also scheduled to visit Gandhinagar. This visit holds particular significance as it follows the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony held in Ayodhya on January 22.

This isn't Prasad's first visit to India; he previously visited in February 2023, where he participated in a high-level Ministerial Session focusing on 'Strategies for a Sustainable and Decarbonised Future.' During these discussions, he emphasized the critical need for global action on decarbonization, particularly stressing its impact on small developing island nations like Fiji.

Prasad also appealed to the developed world to support the transfer of affordable technology to facilitate a smooth and economically viable energy transition, highlighting the shared responsibility in combating climate change.

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