India–Fiji talks during PM Sitiveni Rabuka's visit: 'Veilomani Dosti' joint statement, Suva hospital MoU, Fiji joins IPOI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in New Delhi on 25 August 2025, issuing the joint statement 'Partnership in the spirit of Veilomani Dosti' and signing MoUs including one for a 100-bed super-specialty hospital in Suva.
Summary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who paid an Official Visit to India from 24 to 26 August 2025 — his first visit to India in his current capacity. The India–Fiji Joint Statement, titled 'Partnership in the spirit of Veilomani Dosti', was issued on 25 August. Outcomes include an MoU for a 100-bedded Super Specialty Hospital in Suva, described as the largest project undertaken by India under its Grant-in-Aid Programme in the Pacific region, supply of medicines under the Janaushadhi scheme, a BIS standardisation MoU, a Declaration of Intent on Migration and Mobility, and the handing over of the lease deed of the Indian Chancery building in Suva. Announcements include Fiji joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), creation of a Defence Attaché post in India's High Commission in Fiji, market access for Indian ghee, and 12 agricultural drones and 2 mobile soil testing labs for Fiji's sugar sector. The leaders recalled the Girmitiyas — over 60,000 Indian indentured labourers who arrived in Fiji between 1879 and 1916 — and President Droupadi Murmu's first-ever visit by an Indian President to Fiji in August 2024.
Key facts
- Visit
- Official Visit of Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka, 24–26 Aug 2025
- Joint statement
- 'Partnership in the spirit of Veilomani Dosti' (25 Aug)
- Hospital
- 100-bed Super Specialty Hospital in Suva — India's largest grant-in-aid project in the Pacific
- Key announcements
- Fiji joins IPOI; Defence Attaché post in Fiji; Indian ghee market access
- Sugar sector
- 12 agricultural drones, 2 mobile soil testing labs
- Girmitiyas
- 60,000+ Indian indentured labourers to Fiji, 1879–1916
- Recent ties
- President Murmu's first-ever visit to Fiji (Aug 2024); 12th World Hindi Conference, Nadi (Feb 2023)
Practice MCQs 5 questions
Which Prime Minister of Fiji paid an Official Visit to India from 24 to 26 August 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Sitiveni Rabuka
Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka paid an Official Visit to India from 24 to 26 August 2025, his first visit to India in his current capacity.
The India–Fiji Joint Statement issued on 25 August 2025 was titled 'Partnership in the spirit of ______'.
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Correct answer: A — Veilomani Dosti
The India–Fiji Joint Statement of 25 August 2025 was titled 'Partnership in the spirit of Veilomani Dosti'.
Consider the following statements about outcomes of Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka's visit to India (August 2025): 1. An MoU was signed for a 100-bedded Super Specialty Hospital in Suva, described as the largest project undertaken by India under its Grant-in-Aid Programme in the Pacific region. 2. Fiji joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. The joint statement describes the 100-bedded Super Specialty Hospital in Suva as India's largest Grant-in-Aid project in the Pacific region, and the list of outcomes announces that Fiji joins the IPOI.
According to the India–Fiji Joint Statement (August 2025), the Girmitiyas — over 60,000 Indian indentured labourers — arrived in Fiji during which period?
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Correct answer: D — 1879 to 1916
The joint statement acknowledged the Girmitiyas, over 60,000 Indian indentured labourers who arrived in Fiji between 1879 and 1916.
With reference to India–Fiji relations as recalled in the August 2025 joint statement, consider the following statements: 1. President Droupadi Murmu's visit to Fiji in August 2024 was the first-ever visit by a President of India to Fiji. 2. The 12th World Hindi Conference was held in Suva in February 2023. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: the joint statement calls President Droupadi Murmu's August 2024 visit the historic first-ever visit of an Indian President to Fiji. Statement 2 is incorrect: the 12th World Hindi Conference was held in Nadi, not Suva, in February 2023.