Fiji PM Rabuka Eyes Poverty Eradication Path Similar to India’s as He Seeks Greater Health and Agriculture Ties
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka praised India’s poverty-eradication initiatives during a three-day visit to New Delhi, his first official trip as Fiji’s leader. In a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rabuka signaled his ambition to adopt similar poverty-reduction measures for Fiji, with a particular focus on uplifting rural and maritime communities.
We share the same goal for our people. When I said I want to do what Prime Minister Modi has done in India to eradicate poverty, especially in rural and maritime areas, I meant it, Rabuka said, underscoring the plan to replicate effective programs on a Fiji-wide scale.
India’s support for Fiji is already tangible in agriculture and health. Modi announced new assistance during the talks: India will provide Fiji with 12 agricultural drones and two mobile soil-testing laboratories to boost farm productivity. Earlier, Fiji received cow pea seeds that have been thriving in local soil, helping farmers diversify and strengthen food security. Rabuka’s government welcomed these steps as concrete benefits of the close partnership.
On health and medicines, Modi outlined several initiatives designed to reduce barriers to healthcare. He stated that a 100-bed specialty hospital will be established in Suva to expand access to essential services. Fiji will also receive dialysis units and sea ambulances, along with Jan Aushadhi centers to ensure affordable, high-quality medicines reach households. In addition, Modi announced plans for a Jaipur foot camp in Fiji, highlighting a broader commitment to inclusive medical care.
The visit comes amid ongoing cooperation that spans healthcare, education, technology, and culture. It also aligns with longer-running efforts to deepen Fiji-India ties, including discussions around the lease and development of India’s Chancery and Cultural Centre in Nasese and potential cooperation under a future agreement between India’s Bureau of Indian Standards and Fiji’s Department of National Trade Measurement and Standards.
Why this matters: The pledges reflect a strategic expansion of Fiji’s development partnerships, with health infrastructure and agricultural modernization hardwired into the bilateral agenda. If realized, the 100-bed hospital, new medical equipment, and cost-effective medicines could boost health outcomes across Fiji and potentially benefit the wider Pacific region. The emphasis on rural and maritime communities points to a more inclusive growth model and greater resilience for remote populations.
Outlook: This high-level engagement reinforces a trajectory of deepening cooperation that could translate into tangible improvements in healthcare access, agricultural productivity, and regional connectivity. For India, the partnership strengthens its role as a key development partner in the Pacific, while for Fiji, it offers pathways to advanced medical facilities, technology transfer, and stronger regional ties. Overall, the talks project a hopeful tone for continued collaboration and shared prosperity.
Summary: Rabuka’s comments signal intent to mirror India’s poverty-eradication strategies in Fiji, with concrete steps announced in agriculture and health that could reshape rural livelihoods and access to care. The partnership emphasizes practical projects—drones, labs, a new hospital, dialysis services, ambulances, and affordable medicines—while anchoring Fiji’s development in a broader, cooperative regional framework.
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