Brief Context
Context India and Fiji unveiled initiatives to bolster defence and maritime security cooperation, including the creation of a Defence Attache post at the High Commission of India in Suva, which will also cover the Pacific Islands. India-Fiji Ties Historical Relations: The India-Fiji relations began in 1879. Over the next four decades, approximately 60,553 Indians were brought to work on sugarcane plantations, laying the foundation for a vibrant Indian diaspora known as Girmitiyas.
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Syllabus: GS2/IR
Context
- India and Fiji unveiled initiatives to bolster defence and maritime security cooperation, including the creation of a Defence Attache post at the High Commission of India in Suva, which will also cover the Pacific Islands.
- There is a growing momentum in bilateral ties aimed at promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
India-Fiji Ties
- Historical Relations: The India-Fiji relations began in 1879. Over the next four decades, approximately 60,553 Indians were brought to work on sugarcane plantations, laying the foundation for a vibrant Indian diaspora known as Girmitiyas.
- FIPIC: In 2014, the Indian Prime Minister visited Fiji; this visit, coinciding with the inaugural Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit, cemented India’s commitment to the Pacific region.
- The Forum saw participation of 14 Pacific Island Countries.
- Trade Relations: The bilateral trade stood at approximately US$68 million in 2024-2025, which includes US$65.05 million in exports to Fiji from India.
- Developmental Partnership: The solarisation project at the State House, the cogeneration plant, and initiatives in healthcare and education reflect India’s commitment to Fiji’s sustainable development.
- Diaspora: The Girmit Day commemorations in Fiji mark the arrival of the first Indian labourers.
- The number of Indians living in Fiji is about 2300, mostly engaged in services like IT, management, finance, banking, education, medical, the hotel industry, etc.
- Hindi is one of the official languages of Fiji.
- Multilateral Forums: Fiji has joined both the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA).
- It collaborates with India at the UN, Commonwealth, and other multilateral fora on issues like climate change, sustainable development, and ocean governance.
About Fiji
- Location: Republic of Fiji is situated in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and north of New Zealand.
- Composition: About 330 islands and over 500 islets & reefs. Around 110 islands are inhabited.
- Capital: Suva (on Viti Levu island).
- Political Structure: Parliamentary democracy, member of the Commonwealth.
- Major Islands:
- Viti Levu: Largest island, home to capital Suva and ~70% of population.
- Vanua Levu: Second largest island.
Source: PIB