India, Fiji Sign Defence Deal to Counter China in Pacific!
Modi and Rabuka Unite for a Secure Indo-Pacific and Global South Leadership.
In a landmark move to bolster bilateral relations, India and Fiji unveiled a comprehensive action plan to strengthen defence ties during a high-level meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Fijian counterpart, Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, in New Delhi on Monday. The talks, held at Hyderabad House, underscored a shared vision for a peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, with both nations committing to counter China’s growing strategic influence in the Pacific region.
Prime Minister Rabuka, on his first official visit to India as Fiji’s leader, arrived in Delhi on Sunday, August 24, accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Health Minister Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu. The three-day visit culminated in the signing of seven memoranda of understanding (MoUs), covering cooperation in medicine, skill development, trade, and capacity building. A key focus was enhancing Fiji’s maritime security, with India pledging training and equipment support to fortify Fiji’s capabilities in this critical domain. “India and Fiji may be oceans apart, but our aspirations sail in the same boat,” Modi remarked, emphasizing the deep alignment of their goals.
The leaders issued a strong condemnation of terrorism, specifically referencing the recent Pahalgam attack, and rejected any “double standards” in addressing the global menace. Their joint statement reaffirmed a “zero tolerance” policy and outlined plans to deepen bilateral cooperation in cybersecurity and data protection. To institutionalize defence collaboration, India announced the establishment of a defence attaché post at its High Commission in Fiji, a move signaling long-term commitment to the partnership.
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Modi and Rabuka also expressed a unified stance on advancing the interests of the Global South. “India is a co-traveler in the development of the Global South,” Modi stated, highlighting the need for a world order that respects the independence, ideas, and identity of developing nations. Both leaders called for urgent reforms to the United Nations, including an expansion of the UN Security Council to reflect current geopolitical realities. Fiji reiterated its support for India’s bid for a permanent seat on the Council and endorsed India’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat for the 2028-29 term.
Climate change, a pressing threat for Fiji, was another focal point. Modi pledged India’s assistance in disaster response and renewable energy initiatives, noting Fiji’s membership in the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. As a gesture of goodwill, India gifted 12 agricultural drones and two mobile soil testing laboratories to support Fiji’s agricultural sector.
The leaders emphasized the importance of a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific, with Fiji joining India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, aligning with Rabuka’s vision of an “Ocean of Peace.” The agreements also build on historical ties, dating back to 1879 when Indian laborers arrived in Fiji under the British indenture system, fostering deep cultural and people-to-people connections.
Rabuka’s visit, which includes a lecture at the Indian Council of World Affairs on August 26 titled “Ocean of Peace,” follows recent high-level engagements, including President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Fiji in August 2024 and the 6th Foreign Office Consultations in Suva in July 2025. These interactions underscore India’s Act East policy and its strategic outreach in the Indo-Pacific. The visit, marked by a ceremonial lunch hosted by Modi, reinforces the enduring partnership between the two nations as they navigate shared challenges and opportunities in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
