{"id":60743,"date":"2025-08-26T11:21:06","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T05:51:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=60743"},"modified":"2025-08-26T11:21:06","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T05:51:06","slug":"india-fiji-relations-key-outcomes-of-fiji-pm-sitiveni-rabukas-2025-visit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/india-fiji-relations-key-outcomes-of-fiji-pm-sitiveni-rabukas-2025-visit\/","title":{"rendered":"India\u2013Fiji Relations: Key Outcomes of Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka\u2019s 2025 Visit"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><b>India\u2013Fiji Relations Latest News<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, paid an official visit to India from 24\u201326 August 2025. This was his first visit in his current capacity.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>India\u2013Fiji Bilateral Relations<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ties began in 1879 when ~60,553 Indians were brought under the indenture system to work in Fiji\u2019s sugar plantations (till 1916).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India established a Commissioner\u2019s office in 1948, upgraded to High Commission after Fiji\u2019s independence in 1970.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>FIPIC (Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation)<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2014 (FIPIC-I, Suva): Historic first summit hosted by PM Modi; participation of 14 Pacific Island Countries.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2023 (FIPIC-III, Papua New Guinea): 12-step action plan; PM Modi awarded Fiji\u2019s highest honour \u2013 Companion of the Order of Fiji.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Development Partnership &amp; Assistance<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Capacity Building<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 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).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Humanitarian Aid<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Support after Cyclone Yasa (2020): relief materials, renovation of schools, seeds, $1mn to relief fund. Regular supply of medical kits, vehicles, and election materials.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Community Projects<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Jaipur Foot Camps (600 beneficiaries), Youth Farm Initiative support, parametric insurance schemes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Solarisation Project<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: India co-funded solarisation of Fijian State House &amp; traditional sites (2023).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Economic and Commercial Ties<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trade statistics apparently do not project realistically the trade happening through third countries\/places such as Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Bilateral trade heavily in India\u2019s favour<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 In 2023-24; Indian exports $76.28mn; Fijian exports to India only $1.19mn.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Cultural and People-to-People Links<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Indian Diaspora<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: About 2300 Indians living in Fiji; Indo-Fijians form ~1\/3rd of Fiji\u2019s population (2017 Census).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Girmitiyas\u2019 legacy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> honoured through Girmit Day commemorations, postage stamps, and events in both countries.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>World Hindi Conference<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (2023, Nadi): 1000 participants from 31 countries; stamp releases and publications.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Recognising Indo-Fijians like PM Mahendra Chaudhry, golfer Vijay Singh, NGOs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Know India Programme (<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">KIP): Popular among Indo-Fijian youth.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>New Areas of Cooperation<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Global Biofuels Alliance: Fiji joined in November 2024.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Digital Transformation: MoU signed in 2024 on sharing population-scale digital solutions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pharmacopoeial Cooperation (2025): Recognition of Indian Pharmacopoeia, paving way for Jan Aushadhi Kendras in Fiji.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Outcomes of Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka\u2019s Visit to India<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PM Modi welcomed Fiji\u2019s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on his first official visit to India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The leaders celebrated the deep-rooted people-to-people ties, acknowledging the role of over 60,000 Girmitiyas in shaping Fiji\u2019s society and economy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Defence &amp; Security<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MoU on Defence Cooperation (2017) strengthened \u2192 focus on UN peacekeeping, military medicine, maritime security.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Defence Wing in Suva to be set up.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cyber Security Training Cell (CSTC) in Fiji.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indian Naval Ship port call planned; ambulances gifted to Fijian Military Forces.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Healthcare &amp; Development<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MoU for 100-bed Super Specialty Hospital in Suva (largest Indian grant project in Pacific).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expansion of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in Fiji.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">e-Sanjeevani telemedicine to link India\u2013Fiji.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heal in India: advanced treatment for 10 Fijians annually.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2nd Jaipur Foot Camp to be held in Fiji.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quick Impact Projects: Tubalevu Village Ground Water Project for clean drinking water.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Trade, Economy &amp; Agriculture<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MoUs signed: NABARD\u2013Fiji Development Bank, CII\u2013FCEF, BIS\u2013DNTMS, NIELIT\u2013Pacific Polytechnic.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indian ghee gets Fijian market access.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Support for sugar sector: <\/span><b>12 agri drones, 2 soil-testing labs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, ITEC expert deputation, training programmes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Supply of 5 MT cowpea seeds for food security.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Climate &amp; Energy<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shared commitment to Mission LiFE &amp; Fiji\u2019s Blue Pacific 2050 Strategy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Collaboration under ISA, CDRI, GBA.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">STAR-Centre to be set up at Fiji National University.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Focus on scaling biofuels, solar, resilience projects.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Culture, Education &amp; People-to-People Ties<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Declaration on Migration &amp; Mobility to ease movement of students\/professionals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hindi\u2013Sanskrit teacher deputed to University of Fiji.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Training for Fijian Pundits in India; joint celebration of International Geeta Mahotsav 2025.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exchange visits: Parliamentary delegation &amp; Great Council of Chiefs (2026).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Land handover for Indian Chancery in Suva; reciprocal plot for Fiji in New Delhi.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Regional &amp; Global Cooperation<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fiji joins <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/indo-pacific-oceans-initiative-ipoi\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2192 supporting regional maritime security.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IPOI was launched by India in November 2019 at the ASEAN-led East Asia Summit (EAS) in Bangkok.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fiji supports India\u2019s UNSC permanent membership &amp; candidature (2028\u201329).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shared voice for Global South \u2192 active role in Voice of Global South Summits and DAKSHIN Centre of Excellence.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Diplomatic Statement<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India-Fiji Joint Statement on partnership in the spirit of <\/span><b><i>Veilomani Dosti<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Source:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> TH | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mea.gov.in\/incoming-visit-detail.htm?40045\/List+of+Outcomes+Visit+of+Prime+Minister+of+Fiji+to+India+August+24++26+2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MEA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiainfiji.gov.in\/page\/india-fiji-bilateral\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HCoIF<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover the outcomes of Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka\u2019s 2025 India visit\u2014defence, healthcare, trade, agriculture, energy, and cultural ties strengthening India\u2013Fiji partnership.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":60777,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[2338,60,22,59],"class_list":{"0":"post-60743","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-upsc-mains-current-affairs","8":"tag-india-fiji-relations","9":"tag-mains-articles","10":"tag-upsc-current-affairs","11":"tag-upsc-mains-current-affairs","12":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60743","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60743"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60743\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/60777"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60743"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60743"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60743"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}