Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is on a three-day official visit to India.

India–Fiji Relations

Historical Foundations

• Indenture System (1879–1920): The first group of Indian laborers, known as Girmitiyas, arrived in Fiji in 1879 to work on sugarcane plantations. Around 60,553 Indians were brought under this system.
• Diaspora Growth: Over time, Indian traders and professionals also settled, enriching Fiji’s cultural and economic fabric.
• Present Diaspora: Today, about 300,000 people of Indian origin (37% of Fiji’s population), along with 2,300 Indian nationals, serve as a living bridge between the two nations.

Diplomatic Engagement

• Early Diplomacy: India set up a Commissioner’s office in 1948, even before Fiji’s independence in 1970, to safeguard diaspora interests.
• High Commissions: Post-independence, India upgraded to a High Commission; Fiji opened its own in New Delhi in 2004.
• Challenges & Resilience: India’s High Commission and Cultural Centre were closed after the 1987 coups but reopened in 1999 (HC) and 2005 (Cultural Centre).

High-Level Visits & Agreements

• 2014: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit—the first by an Indian PM in over three decades. Marked by the launch of the FIPIC Summit and signing of three MoUs (co-generation plant, diplomatic training, land for diplomatic missions).
• 2023: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited for the 12th World Hindi Conference; Signed Visa Waiver Agreement, launched solarisation project, inaugurated Girmit Gallery, unveiled Patel bust.
• Munich Security Conference(2025): Jaishankar met Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka to reaffirm bilateral cooperation.
• Girmit Day Commemoration(2025): MoS Pabitra Margherita attended as Guest of Honour. An MoU recognizing the Indian Pharmacopoeia was signed, enhancing healthcare collaboration.

Cultural & People-to-People Ties

• Girmit Legacy: Annual Girmit Day and the renovated Girmit Gallery commemorate the sacrifices and contributions of indentured laborers.
• Diaspora Role: Indians in Fiji contribute in IT, education, finance, healthcare, and hospitality.
• Hindi Language & Culture: Events like the World Hindi Conference strengthen cultural bonds

Development Partnership

• Sectors Supported: Infrastructure, healthcare, education, and renewable energy.
• Key Projects: Solarisation of Fiji’s State House, co-generation plant, and healthcare capacity building.
• Cultural Cooperation: The Indian Cultural Centre in Suva (reopened in 2005) promotes yoga, Hindi, and Indian classical arts.
• Capacity Building:
  • ITEC Programme: Training for Fijian professionals in IT, governance, and administration.
  • Scholarships: Opportunities for higher education in India for Fijian students.

Strategic Outlook

• Shared Vision: India’s Indo-Pacific strategy through FIPIC aligns with Fiji’s goals of sustainable development and regional cooperation.
• Strengthening Trust: Agreements like the Visa Waiver and healthcare collaboration highlight deepening mutual confidence.

About FIJI

• Location: Island nation in Melanesia, part of Oceania, situated in the South Pacific Ocean.
• Colonial History: British colony from 1874 to 1970; gained independence in 1970.
• Formation: Most islands created by volcanic activity about 150 million years ago
• Climate Type: Tropical marine; Warm year-round, with minimal seasonal extremes.
• Major rivers: Rewa, Navua, Sigatoka (Singatoka), Ba (Mba).
• Highest Peak: Mount Tomanivi 

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