Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka visited India from August 24–26, 2025, holding talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and signing key agreements to deepen ties in health, defence, trade, and culture.
The Prime Minister of Fiji, H.E. Mr. Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, paid an official visit to India from August 24 to 26, 2025. He was accompanied by his spouse Ms. Sulueti Rabuka, Minister of Health and Medical Services Mr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, and senior officials. This marked Prime Minister Rabuka’s first visit to India in his current capacity.
During his stay in New Delhi, Prime Minister Rabuka held wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on August 25. The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations and explored new avenues of cooperation in health, agriculture, defence, trade, renewable energy, education, and culture. Prime Minister Modi hosted a lunch in honour of the visiting dignitary. Prime Minister Rabuka also called on President Smt. Droupadi Murmu, who had visited Fiji in August 2024.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-Fiji partnership in the spirit of Veilomani Dosti (friendship and compassion). They recalled historic milestones, including President Murmu’s visit in 2024 and the 12th World Hindi Conference in Fiji in 2023.
A series of agreements and announcements were made during the visit, including the establishment of a 100-bedded Super-Specialty Hospital in Suva, supply of medicines under the Jan Aushadhi Scheme, cooperation in standardization, human capacity building, and rural development financing. India also announced gifting of ambulances, agricultural drones, and soil testing labs to Fiji, alongside initiatives in cyber security, defence, health, and cultural exchange.
Both leaders condemned terrorism in all forms, with strong condemnation of the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack. They pledged to work together against radicalisation, terror financing, and emerging security threats.
The visit also highlighted people-to-people and cultural ties. India will depute a Hindi-cum-Sanskrit teacher to the University of Fiji, train Fijian Pundits in India, and send a cricket coach to support youth development. Agreements on migration, mobility, and parliamentary exchanges were also concluded.
Prime Minister Rabuka endorsed India’s leadership in the Global South and reaffirmed Fiji’s support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council. He expressed interest in Fiji joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, building on his vision of an “Ocean of Peace.”
Prime Minister Modi welcomed these initiatives and reaffirmed India’s long-term commitment to Fiji’s development and prosperity. Prime Minister Rabuka thanked the Government and people of India for their warm hospitality and invited Prime Minister Modi to visit Fiji.
Source & Credit: MEA, PIB, PMO
