NEW DELHI, AUGUST 25, 2025:Â At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji Mr Sitiveni Rabuka paid an Official Visit to the Republic of India from 24 to 26 August 2025. Prime Minister Rabuka, who is on his first visit to India in his current capacity, is visiting New Delhi, and is accompanied by his spouse; Antonio Lalabalavu, the Minister for Health and Medical Services; and a delegation of senior officials of the Government of the Republic of Fiji.
Prime Minister Modi warmly welcomed Prime Minister Rabuka and his delegation. The Leaders held comprehensive and forward-looking discussions on the full spectrum of bilateral matters, and regional and global issues of mutual interest. Both Leaders expressed satisfaction at the growth of the relationship and reaffirmed their resolve to build a broad-based, inclusive, and forward-looking partnership in areas such as defence, health, agriculture, agro-processing, trade and investment, development of small and medium enterprises, cooperatives, culture, sports, education and skill development.
The Leaders noted with satisfaction the momentum gained in bilateral exchanges in recent years, including the historic first-ever visit of the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, to Fiji in August 2024. They recalled the successful hosting of the 12th World Hindi Conference in Nadi, Fiji, in February 2023, which celebrated the shared linguistic and cultural heritage between India and Fiji.
The Leaders reaffirmed the deep-rooted and long-standing relationship and strong people-to-people ties between India and Fiji. They acknowledged the contribution of the Girmitiyas, over 60,000 Indian indentured labourers who arrived in Fiji between 1879 and 1916, in shaping Fiji’s multicultural identity, diverse society and economy. Prime Minister Rabuka appreciated the visit of the Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, to the Republic of Fiji to attend the 146th Girmit Day commemoration in May 2025.
The Leaders noted the successful convening of the 6th round of Foreign Office Consultations in July 2025, which provided an important platform for reviewing progress and identifying new areas of cooperation.
Both Leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation against terrorism and condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Both Leaders condemned in strongest terms the Pahalgam terrorist attack which took the lives of 26 innocent civilians; reiterated zero tolerance to terrorism and rejected double standards on terrorism. Both countries acknowledged the need to counter radicalization; combat financing of terrorism; prevent the exploitation of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes and tackle terrorist recruitment and transnational organized crime through joint efforts and capacity building. Both sides agreed to work together at the UN and other multilateral fora to combat terrorism.
The Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to climate action, resilience building, and sustainable development in the spirit of India’s Mission LiFE and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Prime Minister Modi appreciated Fiji’s membership in the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA). The Leaders welcomed the growing collaboration within ISA, including the upcoming establishment of a STAR-Centre at Fiji National University through a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding with ISA, and signing of the Country Partnership Framework to scale solar deployment across priority sectors in Fiji. Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s commitment to support Fiji’s national resilience goals within the CDRI Framework through technical assistance, capacity building, and advocacy on global platforms.
The Leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting biofuels as sustainable energy solution within the framework of the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA). As founding and active members of the Alliance, both sides underscored the vital role of biofuels in enhancing energy security, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and fostering inclusive rural development. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation on capacity building, technical assistance, and policy frameworks to support the scale-up of sustainable biofuel production and deployment in Fiji.
The Leaders acknowledged the steady growth in bilateral trade and recognized the substantial untapped potential for trade and investment between India and Fiji. They expressed their intent to deepen sectoral cooperation in areas of mutual interest to further consolidate economic partnership, diversify trade portfolios and enhance resilience of supply chains. Prime Minister Modi welcomed the grant of market access to Indian ghee by the Government of Fiji.
Reiterating their shared vision for a robust, inclusive, and sustainable Indo-Pacific economic architecture, both Leaders committed to working closely to promote mutual prosperity. Both Leaders acknowledged India’s growing engagement with the Pacific Island Countries, including Fiji, carried out under the Act East Policy, through the action-oriented Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) and India’s participation as Dialogue Partner in the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). Recalling the outcomes of the 3rd FIPIC Summit held in May 2023, Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to development partnership in the region through wide-ranging initiatives keeping priorities of Fiji at the centre. Reaffirming healthcare as a key priority area, both Leaders welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on design, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of a 100-bedded Super Specialty Hospital in Suva which is the largest project undertaken by India under its Grant-in-Aid Programme in the Pacific Region.
Prime Minister Modi welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Recognition of Indian Pharmacopoeia in May 2025 which will strengthen collaboration in the pharmaceutical sector and ensure improved access to quality and affordable healthcare products and services in the Republic of Fiji. He also reaffirmed India’s support for the establishment of Jan Aushadhi Kendras (Peoples’ Pharmacies) in Fiji to provide low-cost generic medicines. The Leaders welcomed the holding of the 3rd Joint Working Group on Health between the Republic of India and the Republic of Fiji on 13 August 2025 during which collaboration under India’s flagship telemedicine initiative, e-Sanjeevani, to facilitate remote healthcare services and enhance digital health connectivity between India and Fiji was discussed. Strengthening heath cooperation, Prime Minister Modi announced the 2nd Jaipur Foot Camp to be organized in Fiji. India will also extend specialized/tertiary medical care services in Indian hospitals for upto 10 Fijians under the ‘Heal in India’ programme to supplement Fiji’s Overseas Medical Referral programme.
Reaffirming Development Partnership as a cornerstone of India–Fiji cooperation, the Leaders welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the Tubalevu Village Ground Water Supply Project for the first Quick Impact Project (QIP) in the Republic of Fiji as announced by India at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting held in Tonga in 2024, which will enable the provision of clean drinking water for local communities.
Both Leaders acknowledged the growing momentum in bilateral defence ties. They emphasized the importance of their shared interests in advancing regional peace, stability, and prosperity. Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to advancing the priority areas of cooperation outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation signed in 2017, and to supporting Fiji’s strategic priorities in these areas. The Leaders welcomed the outcomes of the inaugural Joint Working Group (JWG) on Defence, including enhanced cooperation in areas such as United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO), Military Medicine, White Shipping Information Exchange (WSIE), and capacity building for Republic of Fiji Military Forces.
The Leaders expressed satisfaction with the ongoing defence collaboration and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen these ties, emphasising the need to enhance defence and maritime security cooperation. Prime Minister Rabuka stressed the significance of ensuring security of Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and welcomed India’s assurance to extend assistance to meet the security needs of the Republic of Fiji. Prime Minister Rabuka welcomed the planned port call by an Indian Naval Ship to Fiji which will enhance maritime cooperation and interoperability.
Both Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening defence cooperation through new initiatives aimed at accelerating bilateral defence efforts and designed to promote mutual benefits and advance peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. Prime Minister Modi announced the gifting of two ambulances to the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the establishment of the defence wing in the High Commission of India in Suva. In view of cyber security being an emerging area of cooperation between both countries, the Leaders welcomed the establishment of Cyber Security Training Cell (CSTC) in Fiji. They emphasized the significant potential for collaboration on addressing current and emerging challenges, particularly in the maritime, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), and technology sectors.
The Leaders underscored the importance of a free, open, secure, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. They announced their intent to collaborate on strengthening regional maritime security, contributing to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
The Leaders recognized people-to-people ties as a natural foundation and multiplier for deepening India-Fiji relationship, especially economic and cultural ties. Both Leaders welcomed the signing of the Declaration of Intent on Migration and Mobility between India and Fiji. This will facilitate mobility of professionals, and students between the two countries.
The Leaders welcomed the deputation of a Hindi-cum-Sanskrit teacher to the University of Fiji to support the development of the Centre for Hindi Studies which will further promote linguistic and cultural ties. Prime Minister Modi further extended India’s support for training to a cohort of Pundits from Fiji in India who would also participate in the ‘International Geeta Mahotsav’ (IGM 2025) in India later this year. An International Geeta Mahotsav event will also be organized in Fiji coinciding with IGM 2025 celebrations in India.
The Leaders recognized capacity building as an important pillar of India’s partnership with the Republic of Fiji. Prime Minister Modi affirmed that India will continue to provide capacity building opportunities for government professionals of Fiji through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme.
The Leaders recognised the significance of agriculture and food security as key areas for bilateral cooperation. Prime Minister Rabuka thanked Prime Minister Modi for the assistance of 5MT of high-quality cowpea seeds sent by India in July 2025 to support food security and agricultural resilience in Fiji.
Prime Minister Modi announced gifting of 12 agricultural drones and 2 mobile soil testing laboratories under India’s Grant-in-Aid Programme which will promote innovation and enhance productivity in Fiji’s sugar sector. To further support the sector, Prime Minister Modi announced the intention to send an ITEC expert to the Fiji Sugar Corporation, along with the organization of specialized ITEC training programmes for Fijian sugar sector professionals.
The Leaders stressed on the growing sports connections between both countries, especially the increasing enthusiasm for cricket in Fiji and for rugby in India. At the request of Fiji, an Indian cricket coach will support the Fiji cricket teams through local talent development, thus promoting youth engagement in sports.
Prime Minister Modi expressed appreciation for the allocation of land by the Government of the Republic of Fiji for the construction of Chancery-cum-Cultural Centre for the High Commission of India in Suva and welcomed the handover of the Lease Title. Land has already been allocated in New Delhi in 2015 for the Government of the Republic of Fiji to construct its High Commission Chancery.
The Leaders welcomed the signing of the following aimed at deepening cooperation in key sectors: (i) Memorandum of Understanding between the Fiji Development Bank (FDB) and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) of India to enhance collaboration in rural development, agricultural financing and financial inclusion; (ii) Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Standardization between the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Department of National Trade Measurement and Standards (DNTMS) of the Republic of Fiji; (iii) Memorandum of Understanding between National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), India and Pacific Polytechnic, Fiji, for cooperation in the field of human capacity building, skilling, and upskilling; (iv) Memorandum of Understanding between the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) to further economic and commercial ties; and (v) Agreement between M/s. HLL Lifecare Ltd. and Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Republic of Fiji on supply of medicines under Jan Aushadhi Scheme.
Both Leaders underlined the importance of Parliamentary exchanges as a step toward strengthening democratic and legislative exchanges. Prime Minister Modi welcomed the proposed visit by a delegation of Parliamentarians from Fiji to India in 2026. Prime Minister Rabuka underlined the important role played by the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) in promoting social cohesion and community development in Fiji. Prime Minister Modi welcomed the proposed visit by a delegation of the GCC to India to further strengthen people-to-people ties between the two countries.
The Leaders exchanged views on regional and international developments and reiterated their shared commitment to peace, climate justice, inclusive development, and amplifying the voice of the Global South. Prime Minister Rabuka appreciated the leadership role of India in Global South. They expressed appreciation for the valued mutual support extended in multilateral forums.
Both Leaders agreed on the urgent need for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations, including through the expansion of the UN Security Council in both categories of membership to better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities. Fiji reaffirmed its support for India as a Permanent Member in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council as well as its support to India’s candidature for the UNSC non-permanent membership for the term 2028-29.
The Leaders reaffirmed continued strengthening of South-South cooperation as a necessary step in effectively addressing contemporary global challenges and agreed to work together on issues of common concern to the Global South, including enhanced, equitable representation in institutions of global governance. Prime Minister Rabuka appreciated India’s initiative and leadership in organising the Voice of Global South Summits, which serve as a crucial platform to deliberate on shared concerns, challenges and developmental priorities of developing countries. Prime Minister Modi appreciated Fiji’s active participation in the Voice of Global South Summits and thanked Prime Minister Rabuka for his participation in the Leaders’ Session of the Summit. Both Leaders welcomed Fiji’s continued engagement with the Global South Centre of Excellence, DAKSHIN, in finding unique development solutions rooted in the shared experience of Global South countries.
About the Author
