New Delhi, August 24, 2025:
Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka arrived in New Delhi on Sunday for his first official visit to India, accompanied by his wife Suluweti Rabuka. He was received at the airport by Union Minister of State for Education and DoNER, Sukanta Majumdar.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Rabuka is on a four-day visit from August 24 to 27, along with a delegation that includes Fiji’s Health and Medical Services Minister Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu and senior officials.
Strengthening India–Fiji Ties
Welcoming the Fijian Prime Minister, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that the visit will help expand cooperation across multiple sectors.
“Warm welcome to PM Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji on his first visit to India. The visit will further deepen the India–Fiji partnership across diverse areas,” Jaiswal wrote.
Key Engagements
- August 25: Rabuka will pay tribute at Rajghat before holding talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House. The two leaders are expected to witness the exchange of MoUs followed by press statements. Later, Rabuka will call on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
- August 26: The Fijian leader will deliver a lecture at Sapru House, organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA).
- August 27: Rabuka will conclude his visit and depart from Delhi.
Historical Links
India and Fiji share long-standing ties dating back to 1879, when the first group of Indian indentured labourers, known as Girmitiyas, were taken to Fiji to work on sugarcane plantations. Between 1879 and 1916, more than 60,000 Indians were brought to the island nation. India appointed a Commissioner to Fiji in 1948, which was later upgraded to a High Commission after Fiji’s independence in 1970.
The visit is expected to further build on recent high-level exchanges and enhance cooperation in areas such as education, health, culture, and trade.
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