India and Fiji Enhance Defence and Security Cooperation
New Delhi: India and Fiji have decided to strengthen their partnership in defence and security during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on Monday. The talks aimed to explore broader cooperation in areas like agriculture and health, emphasizing the importance of a peaceful and secure Indo-Pacific region.
Rabuka, who arrived in India on Sunday for a three-day visit, engaged in extensive discussions with Modi covering security concerns in the Pacific Islands and regional matters. In light of growing Chinese influence, India has been keen to forge closer ties with Pacific Island nations, with Fiji being a significant player due to its strong economy and military.
After their discussions, Modi announced that an action plan to boost defence and security collaboration has been prepared. “India will assist Fiji in enhancing its maritime security through training and the provision of equipment,” he shared during a media interaction. Additionally, Modi noted that India is ready to share its expertise in cyber security and data protection.
Rabuka emphasized the mutual goal of fostering peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, asserting that Fiji stands to gain significantly from its relationship with India. Modi expressed that Fiji is pivotal for India’s cooperation with Pacific Islands and praised Rabuka’s vision of “Oceans of Peace.”
Several steps have been agreed upon to bolster defence ties, including a visit by an Indian naval ship to Fiji this year, the establishment of a defence attaché position in Suva, and the donation of two sea ambulances to Fiji’s military.
The defence attaché will also coordinate with other Pacific nations. Moreover, India plans to help set up a cyber security training center in Fiji.
Neena Malhotra, from the Indian external affairs ministry, mentioned that the two countries have an existing memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation and held their first joint working group meeting in July. “Our collaboration aims to enhance Fiji’s maritime capabilities through training and capacity building,” she said.
Rabuka highlighted the importance of securing Fiji’s exclusive economic zone and welcomed India’s commitment to assist in ensuring the country’s security. He also supported the initiative for an Indian warship to visit Fiji, noting its significance for maritime cooperation.
Both leaders condemned the recent Pahalgam terror attack in April, which resulted in the loss of 26 lives, reaffirming their commitment to combat terrorism and rejecting any double standards.
Modi expressed gratitude to Rabuka and his government for their support in the fight against terrorism, stating, “We all agree that terrorism poses a massive threat to humanity.”
In its quest to strengthen links with Pacific Islands, many of which have Indian-origin populations, India established the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) in 2014. Notable development initiatives in Fiji include the Sustainable Coastal and Ocean Research Institute and an IT Centre.
On Monday, Modi announced plans for a 100-bed super-specialty hospital in Suva that will cater to the Pacific region, and he pledged to provide 12 agricultural drones and two mobile soil testing laboratories to Fiji. Modi also expressed gratitude for Fiji’s approval of Indian ghee sales.
The two countries finalized several agreements, including an MoU for the hospital project, an agreement for medicine supply under the Janaushadhi Scheme, and various agreements related to standards, skilling, and quick impact projects.
In addition, separate MoUs were signed between the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF), as well as between the National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development and the Fiji Development Bank.
