India-Fiji Bilateral Relations

Context

On August 25, 2025, Prime Minister of Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka began a three-day official visit to India. Fiji is an important partner of India among the Pacific Island countries and in recent years, the two countries have focused on strengthening their ties.

Visit of Prime Minister of Fiji to India

• Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka held wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, focusing on cooperation in defence, health, agriculture, trade and the Pacific region.
• The visit symbolizes growing cooperation between India and Fiji, especially in the context of India's strategy in the Pacific region to balance China's influence.

Outcomes of the visit

• Defence and Security: Both countries decided to enhance cooperation for a free, secure and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. India promised to provide training and equipment for Fiji's maritime security.
• Health and Development: A 100-bed super-speciality hospital was announced to be built in Suva, which will serve the Pacific region.
• Agriculture and Trade: India promised to provide 12 agricultural drones and two mobile soil testing laboratories to Fiji. Indian ghee was allowed to enter the Fijian market.
• Cultural and Educational Cooperation: A plan was made to send Hindi and Sanskrit teachers to Fijian University and to train Fijian pandits in India.

Key agreements

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation and Joint Working Group Meeting
• MoU for Design, Construction and Operation of Super-Speciality Hospital in Suva, supply of medicines under Jan Aushadhi Yojana
• MoU for cooperation and human resource development between Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and National Metrology Department of Fiji
• A Letter of Intent (LoI) to facilitate movement of students and professionals
• MoU between Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF)
• Agreement between NABARD and Fiji Development Bank

India-Fiji Bilateral Relations: An Overview

Historical Background

• India-Fiji relations date back to 1879, when over 60,000 Indian labourers (indentured labourers) were transported to sugar cane plantations in Fiji under British rule.
• After Fiji's independence in 1970, India established a commissioner's office there, which later became the High Commission.
• The coup led by Rabuka in 1987 removed Mahendra Chaudhry, the first Indian-origin prime minister, and strained India-Fiji relations.
• However, Rabuka apologized for this in 2008 and 2023, which improved relations.
• In 2014, India launched the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC), which further strengthened cooperation with Fiji.

Trade relations

• Bilateral trade between India and Fiji in 2023-24 was $77.47 million, with Indian exports at $76.28 million and Fiji's exports at $1.19 million. 
• Indian ghee has been allowed to enter the Fijian market and the two countries are working on supply chain resilience and trade diversification.

Investments

• India has invested in several development projects in Fiji, such as the Institute for Sustainable Coastal and Ocean Research and the IT Centre.
• The super-speciality hospital in Suva is India’s largest grant-in-aid project in the Pacific region.
• Both countries are exploring investment opportunities in small and medium enterprises, cooperatives and agro-processing.

Diaspora community

• The Indian diaspora in Fiji (around 2300) and Indo-Fijians (about one-third of the population) contribute significantly to Fiji’s economy and culture.
• The indentured heritage is honoured through events such as Girmit Day, Vishwa Hindi Sammelan (2023, Nadi) and Pravasi Bharatiya Samman.

Tourism

There is potential for promoting tourism between India and Fiji. Fiji's natural beauty and beaches attract Indian tourists, while India's cultural and historical tourism is a centre of attraction for Fijian tourists. Agreement on migration and mobility can give a further boost to tourism.

Cooperation in other areas

• Defence and maritime security: Indian naval ship will stop in Fiji in 2025 and cyber security training room will be set up.
• Health: Fijian patients will get access to specialised treatment in India under e-Sanjeevani telemedicine and Heal in India programme.
• Agriculture: Supply of agricultural drones, soil testing laboratories and 5 metric tonnes of groundnut seeds.
• Climate and energy: Fiji participated in International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA).
• Education and culture: Training of Hindi-Sanskrit teachers, Fijian pandits and joint organisation of International Gita Mahotsav 2025.
• Sports: Appointment of Indian coach for Cricket Fiji.

Challenges

• Historical tensions: The 1987 coup had affected relations with the Indo-Fijian community, the effects of which are still present.
• Economic disparity: India's exports are high in bilateral trade while Fiji's exports are limited.
• Geographic distance: Due to the distance between the two countries, regular exchange and tourism is difficult
• Climate Risk: Climate change is a serious threat to Fiji, which requires greater cooperation with India.
• Digital and Technological Gap: Fiji’s lack of digital infrastructure poses challenges in cyber security and digital cooperation.

Way Forward

• Regular Exchanges: Increase visits of parliamentary and cultural delegations (proposed in 2026).
• Economic Balance: India can open up markets to boost Fiji’s exports.
• Climate Cooperation: More investments in renewable energy and disaster resilient infrastructure.
• Cultural Bridges: More events promoting Indian diaspora and indentured heritage.
• Capacity Building: India’s continued support is needed to enhance Fiji’s maritime and cyber security capabilities.

Conclusion

• India and Fiji share strong historical, cultural and strategic ties. Rabuka’s visit and recent agreements have boosted defence, health, agriculture and cultural cooperation. Both countries should work together for peace and prosperity in the global South and the Indo-Pacific region, so that this partnership can be deepened.