India and Fiji on 1 October 2026 held high-level discussions in New Delhi on deepening bilateral defence and maritime cooperation, with both sides reaffirming their shared vision of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. The talks mark the latest in a series of engagements that signal a sustained strategic convergence between the two nations.

Key Discussions

The 1 October meeting brought together Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and Fiji's Permanent Secretary for Defence and Veterans Affairs, Mason Smith. Agenda items covered defence industry engagement, capacity building and training, and maritime security collaboration. According to the Ministry of Defence's Directorate of Public Relations, which posted details on X, discussions were focused on 'strengthening India-Fiji defence and maritime cooperation, defence industry engagement, capacity building and training, and enhancing collaboration towards a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.'

Earlier Round of Talks

The 1 October meeting was not an isolated engagement. On 28 September 2026, Mason Smith had already met Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi, with both sides highlighting greater defence industry collaboration. That meeting coincided with the 2nd India-Fiji Bilateral Joint Working Group being held in India — a structured forum that gives the partnership an institutional backbone beyond one-off diplomatic visits. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that 'both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to a free, open, inclusive and secure Indo-Pacific.'

Tribute at National War Memorial

Mason Smith also laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi, paying tribute to India's fallen soldiers. In a post on X, Smith wrote: 'Today is a solemn occasion to remember and honour their courage, sacrifice and enduring legacy. We also reaffirm our shared commitment to the values of peace, democracy and enduring cooperation between Fiji and India.'

Broader Bilateral Momentum

The defence engagements are part of a wider deepening of ties. On 8 September 2026, India's High Commissioner to Fiji, Suneet Mehta, met Fiji's Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica to discuss cooperation across agriculture, health, trade, and business. The Indian High Commission in Fiji noted that the meeting explored ways to 'further deepen the longstanding and multifaceted India-Fiji partnership.' This comes amid India's broader Indo-Pacific outreach, where Pacific Island nations have gained increasing strategic salience as New Delhi seeks to expand its influence beyond the immediate neighbourhood.

What Comes Next

With the 2nd Bilateral Joint Working Group now concluded, both governments are expected to pursue follow-through on defence industry linkages and training programmes. The Indo-Pacific framing signals alignment with like-minded partners, and further bilateral exercises or capacity-building arrangements are likely to be formalised in the coming months.