Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, left, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 26 August 2025 Photo: X / @narendramodi
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi says the relationship between India and Fiji is "growing significantly" and that the two nations are working to "add more vigour" to their partnership.
Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka met with his Indian counterpart in New Delhi this week during an official visit at the invitation of the Indian government.
Rabuka held a series of official engagements, including meeting with the Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda. He also met with the Fijian community during his visit.
Modi said he had "productive discussions" with Rabuka.
"India's ties with Fiji are time-tested and are growing significantly. Our talks focussed on how to add more vigour to our developmental partnership," he posted on X.
"We discussed ways to deepen ties in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, defence, security and technology. Cultural linkages between India and Fiji are an important pillar of our relations and we will also work to deepen these ties."
The Fijian government said both leaders expressed satisfaction with the growth of the relationship between the two countries.
It said the they reiterated their commitment to collaborate on areas such as defence, health, agriculture, agro-processing, trade and investment, development of small and medium enterprises, cooperatives, culture, sports, education and skill development.
"Discussions focused on key bilateral priorities, including the implementation of outcomes from the 3rd Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC-3), particularly the landmark 100-Bed Super Specialty Cardiology Hospital in Suva," it added.
In an interview with DD India, Rabuka said he "found it difficult to talk" to Modi.
"To be with such a great man leading such a great nation. I finally managed to [talk] and we had a very fruitful discussions on the various development programmes that are ongoing with the two nations," he said.
"We covered a lot of ground... and the various topics of security in the region and the world."
Rabuka described the bond between India and Fiji as "very, very strong".
Fiji and India's historical ties date back to 1879, when the first Indian indentured labourers were brought to Fiji by British colonial authorities.
Since gaining independence in 1970, Fiji has experienced four coups - the first one in 1987, led by Rabuka, a racially motivated coup targeting Indo-Fijians. It triggered a significant exodus of Indo-Fijians from the country.
Today, Fijians of Indian descent make up just over 30 percent of Fiji's population.
