How do you assess the significance of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s recent visit to India in terms of deepening political and economic ties between the two countries?
The visit by the Prime Minister of Fiji to India has taken relations to a new level. Since the coalition government came into office in December 2022, engagement at every level has increased. In the past two and a half years, more than 20 ministerial visits from Fiji to India have taken place. The first-ever visit to Fiji by the President of India was deeply significant. The award of Fiji’s highest honour to Prime Minister Modi by our Prime Minister during the India–Pacific summit in PNG, the signing of important agreements and MoUs, and India’s commitment to build a 100-bed super-speciality hospital in Fiji are all major developments.

As a leader of Indian origin, what personal resonance do India–Fiji relations hold for you, given the shared history of the girmitiyas and the enduring cultural bonds?
India–Fiji relations hold deep personal and emotional significance for me and for every person of Indian origin in Fiji. I am a third-generation descendant of girmityas who left India through the Port of Calcutta. Their stories of struggle and resilience live within us. Fiji is our home, our country, but maintaining our unique culture, traditions, and religion—nurtured by scriptures such as the Ramayan—has shaped Fiji into a truly multiracial society.

Where do you see the India–Fiji relationship heading in the next decade—particularly in trade, investment, and technology partnerships?
India is a world leader in many fields and the largest democracy. For Fiji, having a long-term, deeply meaningful partnership with India is extremely beneficial. We are on a path of economic and social progress, and our 2050 National Development Plan aims to transform Fiji into a high-income country. India’s contributions in health, technology, trade, and investment will be vital in helping us achieve this vision.

What role do you see the large Indian diaspora in Fiji playing in shaping closer ties with India, both culturally and economically?
The diaspora has always maintained strong links with India, and that continues today. More Fijians of Indian origin are travelling to India, while we expect more Indians to travel to Fiji for business and tourism. The diaspora provides a natural bridge, fostering business, cultural exchange, and connectivity—not just for diaspora families but for the broader Fijian community across all ethnic groups.