Image Source: FBC News
The Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, began a significant four-day official visit to India on August 24, 2025. This visit marks PM Rabuka’s first official trip to India in his current capacity and is poised to strengthen the multifaceted partnership between the two nations. Just weeks after the successful conclusion of the 6th round of India-Fiji Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Suva, this visit elevates the diplomatic dialogue and cooperation across numerous sectors.
Key Highlights of the Visit:
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Arrival and Reception: PM Rabuka landed at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and was warmly welcomed by Sukanta Majumdar, the Union Minister of State for Education and Development of the North Eastern Region. Rabuka was accompanied by his wife, Sulueti Rabuka, Fiji’s Health Minister Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, and senior officials.
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Scheduled Engagements: On August 25, PM Rabuka is slated to meet India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House for extensive discussions, followed by an exchange of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and joint press statements. He will also lay a wreath at Rajghat to pay homage and later call on President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
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Diplomatic and Cultural Exchange: The Fijian leader will deliver a lecture titled ‘Ocean of Peace’ organized by the Indian Council of World Affairs at Sapru House, highlighting India’s role in fostering peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
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Historical and People-to-People Ties: The India-Fiji relationship traces back to 1879 with the arrival of Indian indentured laborers (‘Girmitiyas’) to Fiji, forming deep-rooted cultural and familial bonds. Today, Fiji’s population is approximately 37% of Indian descent, underscoring strong people-to-people connections forming the backbone of bilateral ties.
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Strategic and Sectoral Cooperation Focus: The visit aims to advance cooperation in key areas including health, education, renewable energy, climate change mitigation, trade, investment, agriculture, and cultural exchanges. The ongoing collaboration was recently reviewed comprehensively during the July 2025 Foreign Office Consultations in Fiji.
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Broader Geopolitical Context: PM Rabuka’s visit occurs amid evolving regional dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, with India and Fiji positioning themselves as partners in promoting peace, sustainable development, and climate resilience.
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Historical Reconciliation: PM Rabuka’s visit is also symbolic, reflecting the transformation from earlier difficult phases in India-Fiji relations to the present era of mutual respect and cooperation. His leadership demonstrates a commitment to overcoming past political challenges to focus on shared interests.
Visit Itinerary and Key Events:
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August 24: Arrival and official reception in New Delhi. Meetings with Cabinet Ministers and initial bilateral discussions.
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August 25: Wreath-laying ceremony at Rajghat. High-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, MoU exchanges, media interaction, and meeting with President Droupadi Murmu.
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August 26: Keynote speech at the Indian Council of World Affairs on ‘Ocean of Peace.’ Engagements to enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.
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August 27: Departure from New Delhi, concluding a successful visit.
Significance and Outlook:
This visit reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening ties with Fiji, an important partner in the Pacific region. Both nations have expressed their resolve to propel cooperation beyond traditional boundaries into new domains addressing shared global challenges like climate change and sustainable development. The personal warmth in the engagements and historical context of the relationship provide a robust foundation for future collaboration.
The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that PM Rabuka’s visit would deepen India-Fiji partnerships and further consolidate enduring connections between the two democracies. Given Fiji’s strategic location and India’s growing engagement in the Indo-Pacific, this visit signifies a mutual desire to build a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable future.
Source: Business Standard, Ministry of External Affairs India, IANS, DD News
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