Swaraj discusses defense cooperation with Fiji, Estonia

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday held bilateral talks with leaders from Fiji, Estonia, and Suriname, discussing diverse issues including defense cooperation, trade, and capacity building.

Swaraj met Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, Foreign Minister of Estonia Sven Mikser and Foreign Minister of Suriname Deborah Pollack-Beighle on the sidelines of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly here. "Building upon a historical relationship with an important Pacific partner of India. EAM @SushmaSwaraj and @FijiPM, Frank Bainimarama discussed development assistance, capacity building, and defense cooperation on the sidelines of the #UNGA," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

Highlighting the "strong cultural connect", Swaraj met Mikser and "had a good exchange of views on intensifying cooperation in IT, trade & investment, culture, education, tourism, and multilateral fora," Kumar said.

Noting that India and Suriname share "close, warm and friendly relations," Kumar tweeted that the two leaders discussed cooperation in capacity building, traditional medicine, pharma and followed up on President Ram Nath Kevin's visit to the South American country in June this year.

Later in the day, Swaraj will also participate in the G4 meeting with her counterparts from Brazil, Germany, and Japan.