FBD-NABARD to work on agricultural financing
Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated Fiji’s membership in the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) following Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka official visit to India from 24 to 26 August 2025.
The Leaders welcomed the growing collaboration within ISA, including the upcoming establishment of a STAR-Centre at Fiji National University through a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding with ISA, and signing of the Country Partnership Framework to scale solar deployment across priority sectors in Fiji.
Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s commitment to support Fiji’s national resilience goals within the CDRI Framework through technical assistance, capacity building, and advocacy on global platforms.
The Leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting biofuels as sustainable energy solution within the framework of the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA). As founding and active members of the Alliance, both sides underscored the vital role of biofuels in enhancing energy security, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and fostering inclusive rural development. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation on capacity building, technical assistance, and policy frameworks to support the scale-up of sustainable biofuel production and deployment in Fiji.
The Leaders acknowledged the steady growth in bilateral trade and recognized the substantial untapped potential for trade and investment between India and Fiji. They expressed their intent to deepen sectoral cooperation in areas of mutual interest to further consolidate economic partnership, diversify trade portfolios and enhance resilience of supply chains. Prime Minister Modi welcomed the grant of market access to Indian ghee by the Government of Fiji.
Reiterating their shared vision for a robust, inclusive, and sustainable Indo-Pacific economic architecture, both Leaders committed to working closely to promote mutual prosperity. Both Leaders acknowledged India’s growing engagement with the Pacific Island Countries, including Fiji, carried out under the Act East Policy, through the action-oriented Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) and India’s participation as Dialogue Partner in the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).
Recalling the outcomes of the 3rd FIPIC Summit held in May 2023, Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to development partnership in the region through wide-ranging initiatives keeping priorities of Fiji at the centre. Reaffirming healthcare as a key priority area, both Leaders welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on design, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of a 100-bedded Super Specialty Hospital in Suva which is the largest project undertaken by India under its Grant-in-Aid Programme in the Pacific Region.
The Leaders welcomed the signing of the following aimed at deepening cooperation in key sectors:
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Fiji Development Bank (FDB) and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) of India to enhance collaboration in rural development, agricultural financing and financial inclusion;
- Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Standardization between the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Department of National Trade Measurement and Standards (DNTMS) of the Republic of Fiji;
- Memorandum of Understanding between National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), India and Pacific Polytechnic, Fiji, for cooperation in the field of human capacity building, skilling, and upskilling;
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) to further economic and commercial ties; and
- Agreement between HLL Lifecare Ltd and Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Republic of Fiji on supply of medicines under Jan Aushadhi Scheme. Fiinews.com
