Rabuka expresses support for Modi amid US-India tariff dispute, frames Ocean of Peace as a global path
Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka voiced strong support for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a public exchange in New Delhi, while noting that the United States’ recent 50 percent tariff on Indian goods reflects a moment of pressure on Modi’s leadership. Rabuka, who spoke after delivering the keynote lecture “Ocean of Peace” at the Indian Council of World Affairs, told Modi that “somebody is not very happy with you,” but stressed Modi’s resilience in facing such global pressures.
Rabuka described his conversations as part of a broader discussion on India’s role in advancing the Pacific vision. He said Modi’s stance aligns with the Ocean of Peace concept, a framework Rabuka has championed to encourage peaceful cooperation and collaboration among nations. Rabuka highlighted that leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping have discussed the idea with him, and that Modi echoed the sentiment in their discussions.
In urging a more inclusive approach to regional challenges, Rabuka urged global bodies to adopt a family-like mindset. He used a domestic analogy to illustrate the point: when the smallest member of a family is uncomfortable, the whole family should listen and respond. He noted that decisions taken beyond the region—such as tariff moves—have repercussions for the wider Pacific community.
Rabuka also called on the United Nations and regional forums to embrace the Ocean of Peace concept, emphasizing India’s importance as a partner in advancing this Pacific-focused agenda. “India is an important partner in this journey. Together, we can take this Pacific vision to the world,” he said.
Context and added value
– Rabuka has consistently framed Fiji’s diplomacy around neutrality and cooperative engagement, seeking closer ties with major powers while defending regional interests. This includes previous discussions about a “Zone of Peace” in the Pacific and sustained dialogue with both the United States and China.
– The Ocean of Peace initiative remains central to his broader strategy of promoting security, development, and climate resilience across the Blue Pacific, through constructive multinational engagement.
Additional comments
– Rabuka’s remarks reinforce Fiji’s role as a bridge between Pacific nations and major global powers, potentially shaping how Pacific voices are heard in multilateral forums.
– The emphasis on peaceful coexistence and mutual respect for sovereignty could help ease regional tensions amid wider geostrategic competition.
– If the Ocean of Peace gains traction in international institutions, it may catalyze broader collaborative initiatives in trade, climate financing, and maritime governance.
Summary
Rabuka used a high-profile platform in New Delhi to back Modi amid US-India tariff tensions and to promote the Ocean of Peace as a viable framework for global cooperation. He emphasized resilience in leadership and urged international bodies to adopt a family-like approach to regional challenges, signaling a continued push for balanced, inclusive diplomacy in the Pacific.
Positive note
The exchange plants a hopeful seed for deeper India-Fiji collaboration within a peaceful Pacific framework, suggesting a future where major powers work together to support regional stability and development.
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