India, Fiji to strengthen partnership in defence, health, trade, agri

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in New Delhi on Monday
| Photo Credit:
SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA

India and Fiji will work towards strengthening mutual cooperation in the defence and security sector and build partnerships in areas such as health, agriculture, trade and investment. 

“We have decided to strengthen mutual cooperation in the defence and security sector. An action plan has been prepared for this,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his media statement  following his meeting with Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka in New Delhi.

Market Access

The Indian PM also welcomed the grant of market access to Indian ghee by the Government of Fiji, per a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. 

Sitiveni is on a three-day official visit to India and is accompanied by Minister for Health  Antonio Lalabalavu and a delegation of senior government officials.

“Both leaders expressed satisfaction at the growth of the relationship and reaffirmed their resolve to build a broad-based, inclusive, and forward-looking partnership in areas such as defence, health, agriculture, agro-processing, trade and investment, development of small and medium enterprises, cooperatives, culture, sports, education and skill development,” the statement noted.

Modi said that the two countries supported a free, inclusive, open, secure and prosperous India-Pacific.

The leaders acknowledged the steady growth in bilateral trade and recognised the substantial untapped potential for trade and investment between India and Fiji. They expressed their intent to deepen sectoral cooperation in areas of mutual interest to further consolidate economic partnership, diversify trade portfolios and enhance resilience of supply chains, the release said.

Modi and Rabuka expressed satisfaction with the ongoing defence collaboration and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen these ties, emphasising the need to enhance defence and maritime security cooperation. “Prime Minister Rabuka stressed the significance of ensuring security of Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and welcomed India’s assurance to extend assistance to meet the security needs of the Republic of Fiji,” the MEA statement pointed out.

Prime Minister Rabuka also welcomed the planned port call by an Indian Naval Ship to Fiji which will enhance maritime cooperation and interoperability, the statement added.

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Published on August 25, 2025