Opposition members were absent from the welcoming ceremony for Indian President Droupadi Murmu as they claimed they did not receive invitations. Leader of the Opposition Inia Seruiratu explained that their absence was not a boycott but a result of not being officially invited.
In a statement made in Parliament, Seruiratu expressed disappointment over the lack of an invitation from the Government, noting that this issue had occurred during three other state visits by leaders from Australia and New Zealand as well.
He called on Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to address this matter, emphasizing his role in the Foreign Affairs Ministry. In response, Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka expressed his disappointment at the absence of the Opposition during the ceremony, affirming that the Government did not intend to exclude anyone and that they were committed to improving the situation in the future.
The Opposition highlighted that the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) had previously boycotted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to Parliament in 2014. Gavoka clarified that their protest was against the FijiFirst party’s heavy-handed approach, not against Modi himself. He explained that the arrangement for that occasion had changed unexpectedly, leading to SODELPA’s decision to boycott.
Gavoka emphasized that their actions were in response to how the situation was managed, rather than an opposition to Prime Minister Modi, whom they hold in high regard.