India and Fiji Strengthen Defence and Security Ties, Boost Cooperation Across Multiple Sectors

India and Fiji agreed on Monday to deepen their cooperation in defence and security, aiming to promote a peaceful, secure, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. The announcement came after wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Fijian counterpart, Sitiveni Rabuka, who is on a three-day visit to India.

During their discussions, the two leaders focused on expanding collaboration in areas like agriculture, health, and regional security. India has been actively working to strengthen ties with Pacific Island nations, including Fiji, which has the region’s largest economy and military, as part of a broader effort to counterbalance China’s influence.

“We have decided to enhance our defence and security partnership. An action plan has been prepared, under which India will assist Fiji with training and equipment to boost its maritime security,” Modi said in a media interaction after the meeting. He also noted that India is ready to share its expertise in cybersecurity and data protection.

Rabuka emphasized that Fiji seeks peace, stability, and development in the Indo-Pacific, and that its relationship with India is a valuable asset. Modi described Fiji as a central hub for India’s engagement with the Pacific Islands and praised Rabuka’s vision of “Oceans of Peace” as a positive and forward-looking approach.

Key defence cooperation measures agreed upon include a planned visit by an Indian naval ship to Fiji later this year, the establishment of a defence attaché position at the Indian mission in Suva, and the gifting of two sea ambulances to Fiji’s military. The defence attaché will also work with other Pacific Island nations, and India will help set up a cybersecurity training center in Fiji.

Neena Malhotra, Secretary (South) in India’s External Affairs Ministry, said the countries already have a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation, with the first joint working group meeting held in July. India’s support focuses on enhancing Fiji’s maritime capabilities through training and capacity building, with equipment requests under consideration.

Rabuka highlighted the importance of securing Fiji’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and welcomed India’s commitment to assist in meeting Fiji’s security needs. He also welcomed the upcoming Indian naval visit as a boost to maritime cooperation.

Both leaders condemned the April terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians, and reaffirmed their commitment to fighting terrorism. They rejected double standards on terror and expressed gratitude for Fiji’s support in India’s counterterrorism efforts.

India has been building stronger ties with Pacific Island nations through initiatives like the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC), launched in 2014. Several Indian development projects, including the Sustainable Coastal and Ocean Research Institute and an IT Centre, are based in Fiji.

A significant development announced was the construction of a 100-bed super-specialty hospital in Suva, which will serve the Pacific region. Modi also announced that India would gift Fiji 12 agricultural drones and two mobile soil testing labs. He thanked the Fijian government for approving the sale of Indian ghee in the country.

Several agreements were finalized during the visit, including an MoU on building and operating the hospital, an agreement on medicine supplies under India’s Janaushadhi Scheme, MoUs on cooperation in standards, skill development, and quick impact projects, as well as a declaration of intent on migration and mobility.

In addition, separate MoUs were signed between the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF), and between India’s NABARD and Fiji Development Bank, further strengthening economic ties between the two countries.