India, Fiji ink agreements during Rabuka’s visit; super-specialty hospital, mobility pact announced

India and Fiji signed a series of agreements on Monday aimed at deepening cooperation in health, standards, skills development, and people-to-people ties during Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s three-day visit to New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Fijian counterpart held bilateral talks, following which seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements were exchanged. A landmark pact provides for the design, construction, commissioning, and operation of a super-specialty hospital in Fiji with Indian support, significantly boosting healthcare infrastructure in the Pacific island nation.

“In 2014, after 33 years, an Indian Prime Minister set foot on Fijian soil. I am very happy and proud that this privilege was bestowed upon me,” Modi said during a joint press conference.

Officials said the agreements mark a new chapter in India-Fiji partnership, reinforcing New Delhi’s outreach to Pacific Island nations through health, education, and mobility cooperation.

Another agreement was signed between HLL Lifecare Limited and Fiji’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services to supply affordable medicines under India’s Janaushadhi scheme.

Cooperation in other areas included an MoU between the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Fiji’s Department of National Measurement and Standards to strengthen collaboration on standardisation, and another MoU between India’s National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) and Pacific Polytech, Fiji, to enhance skill development and training opportunities.

Additionally, an MoU on signed on Quick Impact Projects (QIP) under Indian grant assistance, designed to deliver community-level benefits in Fiji.

In a forward-looking move, the leaders also signed a Declaration of Intent on Migration and Mobility, paving the way for smoother movement of professionals and workers between the two countries.

Symbolising the deepening of bilateral ties, Fiji also handed over the lease deed for India’s Chancery building in Suva.