India–Fiji Relations: Key Outcomes of Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka’s 2025 Visit

India–Fiji Relations Latest News

• Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, paid an official visit to India from 24–26 August 2025. This was his first visit in his current capacity.

India–Fiji Bilateral Relations

• Ties began in 1879 when ~60,553 Indians were brought under the indenture system to work in Fiji’s sugar plantations (till 1916).
• India established a Commissioner’s office in 1948, upgraded to High Commission after Fiji’s independence in 1970.

FIPIC (Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation)

• 2014 (FIPIC-I, Suva): Historic first summit hosted by PM Modi; participation of 14 Pacific Island Countries.
• 2023 (FIPIC-III, Papua New Guinea): 12-step action plan; PM Modi awarded Fiji’s highest honour – Companion of the Order of Fiji.

Development Partnership & Assistance

• Capacity Building: Annual ITEC slots increased from 55 to 110; Sagar Amrut Scholarships (1000 across Pacific, 100 annually for Fiji). Centre of Excellence in IT established at Fiji National University (2021).
• Humanitarian Aid: Support after Cyclone Yasa (2020): relief materials, renovation of schools, seeds, $1mn to relief fund. Regular supply of medical kits, vehicles, and election materials.
• Community Projects: Jaipur Foot Camps (600 beneficiaries), Youth Farm Initiative support, parametric insurance schemes.
• Solarisation Project: India co-funded solarisation of Fijian State House & traditional sites (2023).

Economic and Commercial Ties

• Trade statistics apparently do not project realistically the trade happening through third countries/places such as Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, etc. 
• Bilateral trade heavily in India’s favour – In 2023-24; Indian exports $76.28mn; Fijian exports to India only $1.19mn.

Cultural and People-to-People Links

• Indian Diaspora: About 2300 Indians living in Fiji; Indo-Fijians form ~1/3rd of Fiji’s population (2017 Census).
• Girmitiyas’ legacy honoured through Girmit Day commemorations, postage stamps, and events in both countries.
• World Hindi Conference (2023, Nadi): 1000 participants from 31 countries; stamp releases and publications.
• Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards: Recognising Indo-Fijians like PM Mahendra Chaudhry, golfer Vijay Singh, NGOs.
• Know India Programme (KIP): Popular among Indo-Fijian youth.

New Areas of Cooperation

• Global Biofuels Alliance: Fiji joined in November 2024.
• Digital Transformation: MoU signed in 2024 on sharing population-scale digital solutions.
• Pharmacopoeial Cooperation (2025): Recognition of Indian Pharmacopoeia, paving way for Jan Aushadhi Kendras in Fiji.

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Outcomes of Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka’s Visit to India

• PM Modi welcomed Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on his first official visit to India.
• The leaders celebrated the deep-rooted people-to-people ties, acknowledging the role of over 60,000 Girmitiyas in shaping Fiji’s society and economy.

Defence & Security

• MoU on Defence Cooperation (2017) strengthened → focus on UN peacekeeping, military medicine, maritime security.
• Defence Wing in Suva to be set up.
• Cyber Security Training Cell (CSTC) in Fiji.
• Indian Naval Ship port call planned; ambulances gifted to Fijian Military Forces.

Healthcare & Development

• MoU for 100-bed Super Specialty Hospital in Suva (largest Indian grant project in Pacific).
• Expansion of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in Fiji.
• e-Sanjeevani telemedicine to link India–Fiji.
• Heal in India: advanced treatment for 10 Fijians annually.
• 2nd Jaipur Foot Camp to be held in Fiji.
• Quick Impact Projects: Tubalevu Village Ground Water Project for clean drinking water.

Trade, Economy & Agriculture

• MoUs signed: NABARD–Fiji Development Bank, CII–FCEF, BIS–DNTMS, NIELIT–Pacific Polytechnic.
• Indian ghee gets Fijian market access.
• Support for sugar sector: 12 agri drones, 2 soil-testing labs, ITEC expert deputation, training programmes.
• Supply of 5 MT cowpea seeds for food security.

Climate & Energy

• Shared commitment to Mission LiFE & Fiji’s Blue Pacific 2050 Strategy.
• Collaboration under ISA, CDRI, GBA.
• STAR-Centre to be set up at Fiji National University.
• Focus on scaling biofuels, solar, resilience projects.

Culture, Education & People-to-People Ties

• Declaration on Migration & Mobility to ease movement of students/professionals.
• Hindi–Sanskrit teacher deputed to University of Fiji.
• Training for Fijian Pundits in India; joint celebration of International Geeta Mahotsav 2025.
• Exchange visits: Parliamentary delegation & Great Council of Chiefs (2026).
• Land handover for Indian Chancery in Suva; reciprocal plot for Fiji in New Delhi.

Regional & Global Cooperation

• Fiji joins Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) → supporting regional maritime security.
  • IPOI was launched by India in November 2019 at the ASEAN-led East Asia Summit (EAS) in Bangkok.
• Fiji supports India’s UNSC permanent membership & candidature (2028–29).
• Shared voice for Global South → active role in Voice of Global South Summits and DAKSHIN Centre of Excellence.

Diplomatic Statement

• India-Fiji Joint Statement on partnership in the spirit of Veilomani Dosti.

Source: TH | MEA | HCoIF