Why in 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.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• India–Fiji Bilateral Relations
• Outcomes of Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka’s Visit to India

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.

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.