Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, shakes hand with his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka before their meeting in New Delhi, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. Know more in our UPSC Key. (AP Photo)
Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for August 26, 2025. If you missed the August 25, 2025, UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here.
GOVT & POLITICS
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
What’s the ongoing story: India and Fiji may be oceans apart, but aspirations of both the nations sail in the same boat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday, with his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka by his side.
Key Points to Ponder:
— Know about the location of Fiji and surrounding countries
— Know about the background of Fiji-India relationship
— What is the significance of the Indo-Pacific region?
— What is the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)?
— Know about Fiji’s 1987 coup and how is it related to Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka?
— What are Pacific Island Countries (PICs)?
— What is the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC)?
— Fiji is tipped to be an important strategic partner for India within the larger framework of the Indo-Pacific, more so in the wake of China’s growing footprint in the region. Why?
Key Takeaways:
— As the two leaders met in New Delhi on Monday, India and Fiji unveiled significant initiatives to bolster defence and maritime security cooperation, including the creation of a Defence Attache post at the High Commission of India in Suva, who will be covering the Pacific Islands as well.
— According to the Joint Statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) after the bilateral talks, “there is a growing momentum in bilateral ties aimed at promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region”, including a planned port call by an Indian naval ship to Fiji this year.
— PM Modi also announced the gifting of two sea ambulances to Fijian Military Forces and the establishment of a Cyber Security Training Cell in Fiji, and expressed support to PM Rabuka’s ‘Ocean of Peace’ initiative.
— In his address, PM Rabuka welcomed India’s assurance to support the security of Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the planned naval port call, which will enhance maritime cooperation and interoperability.
— Fiji is tipped to be an important strategic partner for India within larger framework of the Indo-Pacific, more so in the wake of China’s growing footprint in the region. PM Rabuka has been opposing Beijing setting up a military base in the Pacific Islands.
Don't miss | UPSC Current Affairs Pointers of the past week | August 18 to August 24, 2025
— MEA Secretary (South) Neena Malhotra reiterated both nations’ focus on defence and security cooperation in the region.
— As part of the visit, New Delhi and Suva also exchanged nine agreements and MoUs, including one on the construction, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of a super-speciality hospital in Fiji; and an agreement on supply of medicines under the Jan Aushadhi scheme.
Do You Know:
— PICs is a cluster of 14 island nations dotting the Southwestern Pacific: the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. All these islands are located at the crossroads of strategically important maritime trade corridors.
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Comments
alam says Jul 02, 2025 at 07:50am
test for news