Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka arrives in New Delhi to bolster bilateral ties with India through high-level talks. Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka arrived in New Delhi on Sunday, August 24, 2025, for a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties with India in trade, investment, and maritime security. Welcomed by Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Rabuka is accompanied by his spouse, Suluweti Rabuka, and a delegation including Health Minister Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu.
Why It Matters for South Asia
Rabuka’s visit underscores Fiji’s growing importance in India’s foreign policy, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, where maritime security and economic cooperation are critical. As India seeks to deepen ties with Pacific Island nations, this visit strengthens its strategic presence in a region increasingly contested by global powers, fostering stability and collaboration that benefits South Asia’s broader geopolitical landscape.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
Rabuka’s visit, his first to India as prime minister, builds on historical ties dating back to 1879, when Indian labourers, known as ‘Girmitiyas,’ were brought to Fiji under the British indenture system. Between 1879 and 1916, approximately 60,553 Indians migrated to Fiji, laying the foundation for strong cultural and people-to-people connections. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated, “The visit will further deepen the India-Fiji partnership across diverse sectors,” highlighting cooperation in health, education, and renewable energy.
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On Monday, August 25, 2025, Rabuka will hold wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House, followed by an exchange of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and press statements. Modi will host a lunch in Rabuka’s honour, reinforcing diplomatic goodwill. The Fijian leader will also call on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, reciprocating her visit to Fiji in August 2024.
Focus on Maritime Security and Trade
Fiji holds strategic significance for India in the South Pacific, particularly in maritime security. As a key member of the Pacific Islands Forum, Fiji plays a pivotal role in regional stability. Rabuka’s discussions with Modi are expected to cover cooperation in maritime security, climate change, and trade, with India positioning itself as a development partner in Fiji’s nation-building efforts. The MEA noted that India has supported Fiji in capacity building and infrastructure development, citing past MoUs signed during Modi’s 2014 visit to Fiji, including a line of credit for a co-generation plant.
The delegation’s focus on health and education aligns with India’s ongoing support for Fiji, including initiatives like the Yoga Centre in Seaqaqa, inaugurated virtually in 2024, promoting holistic wellness. Rabuka’s lecture on “Ocean of Peace” at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, will further highlight Fiji’s commitment to peaceful regional cooperation, a priority shared with India.
Background
India-Fiji relations have evolved since Fiji’s independence in 1970, with India maintaining a High Commissioner in Suva since 1948. Rabuka’s visit follows a year after President Murmu’s trip to Fiji, marking a continuation of high-level exchanges. However, Rabuka’s past as a military coup leader in 1987, which strained ties with Fiji’s ethnic Indian minority, adds a layer of complexity. His 2022 election as prime minister, defeating Frank Bainimarama, signalled a shift towards coalition governance and a renewed focus on international relations, including with traditional allies like India.
Despite historical tensions, Rabuka has worked to mend ties with India’s diaspora in Fiji, with initiatives like declaring Girmit Day a national holiday to honour Indian labourers’ contributions. The visit aims to reinforce mutual respect and collaboration, with India’s foreign policy emphasising fairness and cultural diplomacy, as highlighted by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during his 2023 Fiji visit.
What’s Next
Rabuka’s visit is expected to yield new agreements, potentially in renewable energy and health, further solidifying India-Fiji bilateral ties. The next round of Foreign Office Consultations, scheduled for 2026 in New Delhi, will build on these discussions, ensuring sustained engagement. As India expands its influence in the Pacific, Fiji’s strategic partnership will remain a cornerstone of its Indo-Pacific strategy, fostering deeper bilateral ties.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, August 24th, 2025
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