South Tarawa: India and Kiribati discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation and advance shared priorities during a high-level meeting in Tarawa on September 1, with officials exploring areas of mutual interest.

The meeting brought together H.E. Suneet Mehta, India’s High Commissioner to Kiribati, and Kiribati’s Minister for Culture and Internal Affairs, Harry Tekaiti; Minister for Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development, Tokaibure Rabaua; Minister for Line and Phoenix Islands Development, Mikarite Temari; and Chairman of the Leadership Commission, Taoaba Kaiea.

The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation and advancing shared priorities, with India’s High Commission in Fiji describing the interaction as reflecting India’s commitment to a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable future.

The engagement follows a June 17 meeting between H.E. Mehta and Uering Iteraera, Officer-in-Charge of Kiribati’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, which explored strengthening the development partnership, cooperation in multilateral forums and new areas of collaboration.

H.E. Mehta also met Kiribati’s Secretary for Finance, Koin Uriam Kiritione, to discuss economic cooperation, particularly infrastructure development, digitalisation, training and capacity building. He visited the Dialysis Centre being established with Indian funding support, highlighting cooperation in healthcare and access to medical services.

Earlier, H.E. Mehta met Minister for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives Tangariki Reete and Minister of Justice Martin Moreti. Discussions covered trade, entrepreneurship and sustainable economic development, with particular emphasis on the coconut and copra industries.