MoS Defence Visits Republic of Nauru

Foreign Affairs

New Delhi. Minister of State (MoS) Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre visited Republic of Nauru. He was on a three-day official visit to the Republic from May 16-18.

He attended the 50th anniversary celebrations of its Constitution Day on May 17 as the Chief Guest.

On his maiden visit to the country, Dr Bhamre was introduced to the Nauruan Cabinet by the President Mr Baron Divavesi Waqa followed by a detailed meeting chaired by the President. During this meeting, wide-ranging discussions were held covering the entire gamut of bilateral relationship and specific subjects concerning the respective ministries of the government of Nauru were discussed to further enhance and deepen the existing excellent bilateral relations between the two countries.

The two sides discussed projects relating to Climate Change, Renewable Energy, Health, Education, Capacity Building, Infrastructure etc.

President Waqa hosted a State Banquet in commemoration of Nauru’s Constitution Day. Dr Bhamre, in his speech, hailed the wise and farsighted leadership of President Waqa and called India and Nauru as “friends, who have transcended the geographical barriers of great distances and have come together to jointly face the common challenges”.

The MoS Defence later presented a copy of the Indian Constitution to President Waqa with compliments of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. President Waqa thanked and conveyed his gratitude and warm personal regards to the Prime Minister. Dr Bhamre declared that “two countries intend to take this cooperation and these bonds of friendship to even greater heights under the able stewardship of our two great leaders – President Waqa in Nauru and Prime Minister Modi in India”.

Nauru would be hosting the 49th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in September 2018 and Dr Bhamre conveyed that India will be offering 22 Mahindra SUVs and two Tata buses worth $706,000 to Nauru as per their request for this meeting.

The Minister visited Nauru’s Rehabilitation Corporation, Nauru Port Authority to see the port facilities and Nauru Police Force Headquarters. India earlier supported Nauru with police uniforms for the Nauru Police Force on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of Nauru on January 31 this year.

The MoS Defence interacted with the small Indian community in Nauru over Lunch. Dr Bhamre assured Government of India’s steadfast commitment to Indian citizens and persons of Indian origin wherever they are in the world.