New Delhi witnessed an important diplomatic engagement on Monday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at Hyderabad House. The two leaders discussed ways to expand cooperation and deepen the long-standing relationship between India and Fiji.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a post on X, called Fiji an “important Global South and FIPIC partner” and noted that the talks reflected the mutual commitment to closer ties. Prime Minister Modi is also hosting a lunch in honor of his Fijian counterpart.
This marks Rabuka’s first official visit to India in his current role. Arriving in New Delhi on Sunday, August 24, he was accompanied by his wife, Sulueti Rabuka, and a high-level delegation that includes Health and Medical Services Minister Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu and senior officials. Earlier in the day, Rabuka paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, underscoring shared values of peace and cooperation.
During his visit, Rabuka will also deliver a lecture titled “Ocean of Peace” at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), highlighting the Pacific perspective on global challenges. His trip follows the 6th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and Fiji, held in Suva in July 2025.
At the FOC, both countries reviewed progress in multiple areas such as healthcare, education, capacity building, trade, investment, agriculture, renewable energy, climate change, and cultural exchanges. The Indian side was led by Neena Malhotra, Secretary (South), MEA, while Fiji was represented by Raijeli Taga, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Both sides emphasized maintaining frequent political engagement and expanding cooperation in emerging sectors.
President Droupadi Murmu is also expected to meet Prime Minister Rabuka during his stay. This engagement builds on President Murmu’s own visit to Fiji in August 2024, where she addressed the Fijian Parliament and emphasized shared values and people-to-people bonds.
According to the MEA, Rabuka’s visit reaffirms the enduring friendship between India and Fiji. The next round of Foreign Office Consultations will be hosted in New Delhi in 2026, ensuring that the partnership continues to evolve with mutual priorities.
The visit not only strengthens bilateral cooperation but also highlights India’s growing engagement with Pacific Island nations through the FIPIC framework.
