News Analytics (NA) Editor in Chief, Ms Sandhya Srivastava interacted exclusively with H.E. Jagannath Sami, Honourable High Commissioner of the Republic of Fiji to the Republic of India, on the significance and expectations from the recent state visit of the Honourable President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu to Fiji.
– Published in News Analytics October 2024 Edition
NA: Fiji and India share a deep historical and cultural connection that goes back more than a century. Almost a third of the Fijian population traced their roots to India How has this heritage shaped the current diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations?
Fiji’s connection with India is indeed historical and has forever grown stronger with time due to deep cultural and religious ties. India had recognised the presence of Indians taken to Fiji by the British Government under the “Indentured System’ from 1879 until 2016 to work in the Sugar Plantations. Well before Fiji’s Independence, India had a commissioner since 1948 to look after the interests of Indians in Fiji. It was later upgraded to High Commission after Fiji’s Independence in 1970. Hence, India’s interest in Fiji is natural and obligatory. Girmitya Indians in Fiji looked upon India as the “Mother Land.”
NA: India has placed a special emphasis on the Forum for India and the Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) and identifies Fiji as an important partner in it. How does Fiji look at this forum?
Fiji is the hub of the Pacific. Perhaps, one of the most developed countries in the South Pacific. It has a connectivity infrastructure. Fiji has provided leadership to the PIC and champions its common causes in PIC and Internationally. Hence, India and PIC countries recognise Fiji’s strategic and proven leadership.
Fiji sees FIPIC as a significant platform for engaging apart from the other bilateral means. FIPIC provides an opportunity for Pacific Island countries to have an effective engagement with India and vice-versa. It was at the FIPIC when the Honourable Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi made significant announcements for the Pacific including Fiji which included: setting up dialysis units, providing Sea ambulances, setting up 24×7 emergency helpline and establishing a super-specialty cardiology hospital in Fiji.
NA: The Indian President was conferred upon ‘Order of Fiji’ by the President of Fiji during this visit. Can you elaborate on the significance of this recognition?
This year, the Head of State Ratu Wiliame Katonivere presented the Companion of the Order Fiji to India’s President Droupadi Murmu. The medal honours President Murmu for various services to the people of India and development in Fiji. The Companion of the Order Fiji is an eminent achievement and merit of the highest degree in service to humanity at large.
Last year, the “Order of Fiji” was bestowed on PM Modi in recognition of his contribution to world peace and mankind. India’s philosophy “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” the world is a family, is universal and well received by PIC. Indias’ role in the Pacific to uplift the lives of the people of PICs is recognised as a genuine effort. PM Modi’s announcement to build a regional 100-bed Super Speciality hospital in Fiji for the Pacific Island countries and provide equipment and human resources for its operation.
NA: What steps are being taken to enhance trade between Fiji and India, and are there any emerging investment opportunities that Indian businesses should explore in Fiji?
Trade between India and Fiji has significant disparity. India exports to Fiji around US$100m whilst Fiji exports only US$500,000. Fiji is too small and cannot compete with India in Scale. However, there is huge potential for Indian entrepreneurs to invest in Fiji’s agriculture, fisheries, forestry, information technology, health, sugar, defence, education, culture and small and medium enterprises.
NA: Fiji is a popular tourist destination. How are both countries promoting tourism and cultural exchanges to strengthen people-to-people ties?
Yes, Fiji has been making strong efforts to address challenges such as direct air connectivity, cost of fares and marketing Fiji to Indian Tourists. To do so, Fiji has established a Fiji Tourism Office in Mumbai to promote Fiji as a tourist destination. Fiji recently has successfully negotiated with an Indian Airline to codeshare with its national carrier, Fiji Airways. Hopefully, we may see this eventuating in more flights between Fiji to Syd/Mel/HK/Sig to Chennai/ Mumbai/ Delhi. This would certainly overcome some hurdles and encourage more Indian tourists to Fiji. Indeed, Fiji still must engage in some aggressive marketing in India to sell Fiji as a pristine location in the South Pacific.
NA: India has been offering scholarships and training programs to Fijian students and professionals. How has this exchange contributed to capacity building in Fiji, and what future initiatives are planned?
Fiji like all nations is a victim of brain drain, accelerated post covid. India’s assistance has to some extent eased some shortages, but Fiji still needs a lot of skilled people to fill the vacuum. India has been very generous in providing scholarships for capacity building and human resource development programmes under its “Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation-ITEC.” There were scholarships under the ICCR scheme and last year’s announcement of the Sagar Amrut at the last FIPIC. India has also signed MOUs with Fiji in the following areas:- Cooperation in Youth Development.
NA: With India emerging as a global leader in IT and digital transformation, how is Fiji benefiting from Indian expertise in technology and innovation?
Fiji needs support from India in the IT and digital transformation sector. There are continuing bilateral discussions between Fiji and India. In 2021 Government of India established a Centre of Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT) with Fiji. Fiji has also requested for support from India to assist in developing a National ID like the Adhar Card. A pilot test on the ground is pending, awaiting Fiji’s approval.
Establishment of Mahatma Gandhi Centre of Excellence in IT: In 2021 Government of India established a Centre of Excellence in IT at Fiji National University. The project has been implemented by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under an MoU signed between the Governments of India and Fiji. Fiji is also exploring to undertake other IT projects through India’s assistance.
NA: Given that both Fiji and India are vulnerable to climate change, how are the two countries working together to tackle environmental challenges and promote sustainable development?
India and Fiji are working together to tackle environmental challenges and promote sustainable development in a number of ways, including:
Sustainable Coastal and Ocean Research Institute (SCORI) – The Government of India is establishing SCORI at the University of South Pacific in Fiji to promote research and cooperation on ocean sciences and climate change adaptation.
International Solar Alliance (ISA) – Fiji has been a founding member of ISA which is an initiative undertaken by the Government of India and France on climate action. As part of this initiative, solar projects have been implemented and capacity-building programmes have been developed.
Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) – Fiji has been a founding member of CDRI which is an initiative undertaken by the Government of India climate action. There have been high-level meetings, disaster-related projects being taken as well as capacity building trainings and technical assistance provided.
On 19 February 2014, during the visit by PM Narendra Modi, an MOU was signed “Extending the Line of Credit for Establishing Co-generation Plant in Fiji.” On 06 February 2023, during the visit by the Minister of External Affairs, Dr S. Jaishankar to Fiji, the Project- Solarisation of State Residences at State House was launched. India has signed an MOU with Fiji for Cooperation in the field of Renewable Energy.
NA: How do Fiji and India collaborate on defence and security matters, particularly in areas such as maritime security, peacekeeping, and disaster management?
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for strengthening defence and security ties including in defence production and military training was signed on 28-30 May 2017. Since then the members of the disciplinary forces from Fiji have been undergoing capacity building training under the ITEC programme in India.
NA: Looking ahead, what is your vision for the future of the Fiji-India relationship, and what areas do you believe hold the most promise for deepening cooperation?
The India-Fiji bilateral relationship is built upon a shared history of support and diplomatic cooperation. It has matured into a robust partnership with thriving economic ties and multifaceted collaborations. As both nations continue to explore opportunities for further cooperation, the relationship is poised for a promising future. This partnership not only contributes to bilateral growth but also plays a crucial role in promoting regional and international stability.
Fiji and India’s relationship now extends beyond cultural and religious ties, focusing significantly on trade, development, and international cooperation. There are a lot of synergies, a lot of exchanges and cooperation that we can have in the area of health, education, renewable energy. Relating to health, India is building a 100-bed super-specialty hospital which will be good for Fiji as well as for the Pacific.
India has huge capacity and ability, experience and technology to assist Fiji in developing agriculture and MSME’s promoting training, capacity building and capability development to achieve sustainable economic growth. India’s cooperation extends to infrastructure projects and climate resilience initiatives, supporting Fiji’s sustainable development goals.
