Basics
- Indo-Pacific Region:
- Geopolitical concept spanning the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
- Central to global trade, maritime security, and strategic competition (notably India–China–US dynamics).
- Fiji’s Position:
- An island nation in the South Pacific.
- Strategically located within the “Blue Pacific Continent,” often seen as a gateway to Pacific island states.
- India–Fiji Relations:
- Historical ties through Indian diaspora in Fiji (approx. 40% of Fiji’s population).
- Enhanced defence ties since 2017 Defence Cooperation MoU.
- Member of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC).
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)
Key Announcements during Rabuka’s Visit (2024)
- Defence Cooperation:
- Training & equipment support for Fiji’s maritime security.
- Capacity building for Fijian armed forces.
- Cooperation on UN peacekeeping, military medicine, and White Shipping Information Exchange.
- Planned Indian naval ship port call to Fiji for enhanced interoperability.
- Two ambulances gifted to Fiji’s military; Defence Wing to open at India’s High Commission in Suva.
- Strategic Statements:
- Both countries reaffirmed support for a “free, open, inclusive, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific”.
- India sees Fiji as a hub in its Pacific outreach.
- Implicit balancing of China’s growing influence in Pacific islands (notably naval base concerns).
- Other MoUs Signed:
- Super-specialty hospital in Fiji.
- Migration & mobility agreement.
- Cybersecurity cooperation, including a new training cell in Fiji.
- Strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation.
Strategic Significance
- For India:
- Expands India’s strategic footprint in the Pacific islands.
- Strengthens FIPIC and Act East + Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
- Counters China’s attempts to gain military bases and leverage over Pacific states.
- Enhances India’s image as a development partner and security provider.
- For Fiji:
- Gains military, maritime, and cyber capacity-building support.
- Protects its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and maritime resources.
- Diversifies security partnerships beyond China.
- Benefits from Indian aid in health, mobility, and counter-terrorism cooperation.
- For Indo-Pacific:
- Strengthens the principle of open seas, freedom of navigation, and rules-based order.
- Reinforces coalition-building among like-minded states (India, Fiji, Japan, Australia, US).
- Highlights role of smaller island nations as pivotal players in regional security.
Underlying Geopolitics
- Fiji’s PM Sitiveni Rabuka has earlier opposed China’s naval base plans in the Pacific islands.
- Joint India–Fiji statement subtly signals alignment with Quad principles.
- India balances soft power (diaspora, hospital, training) with hard power (naval visits, defence cooperation).
- Fiji leverages partnerships to avoid strategic overdependence on China.
