Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, and President Prabowo Subianto, have agreed to increase cooperation in various strategic fields for both countries.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, and the Prime Minister (PM) of Fiji, Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, have agreed to increase cooperation in various strategic fields for both countries.

President Prabowo highlighted the similarity in the character of both countries as island nations in the Pacific region that face similar challenges, including in upholding the principles of sovereignty, independence, and equality among nations.

“We have many common interests. We face the same challenges. We both have the principles of mutual respect among nations,” President Prabowo said in a joint press statement with PM Rabuka at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

The president also ensured that all previously agreed commitments and agreements would be continued and their implementation accelerated under his administration, including strengthening cooperation in the defense sector.

"In the field of political cooperation, we want to make the defense cooperation agreement that we have established some time ago more effective," the Indonesian Cabinet Secretariat quoted President Prabowo as saying.

In addition, Indonesia is also committed to supporting the construction of the Regional Agricultural Training Center in Fiji which is planned to start operating this year.

The head of state opened wider opportunities for Fijian youth to pursue vocational, technical, agricultural, and military trainings in Indonesia.

"We also invite Fiji to send its young men and women to study at our educational institutions in Indonesia, in the fields of vocational, technical, agricultural, and also in our schools and other educational institutions. Also for joint military trainings, the president said.

President Prabowo likewise emphasized Indonesia's commitment to strengthening relations between the people of the two countries through a program to increase human resource capacity, including the addition of partnership scholarships for Fijian youth.

At the regional level, Indonesia expressed its appreciation for Fiji's role in the South Pacific and the country's support for Indonesia's participation in various regional forums.

"On behalf of the government of the Republic of Indonesia, I would like to convey our appreciation from the Indonesian government for Fiji's leadership in the South Pacific and Fiji's support for Indonesia's participation in various forums," he said.

President Prabowo expressed his hope that the friendly relations and cooperation between Indonesia and Fiji would continue to be maintained and further enhanced in the future.

"Let us continue to maintain this relationship. What is clear is that we from Indonesia re-emphasize, re-affirm that we want to improve this relationship to be even better, even closer, even more effective in the

On the same occasion, the Prime Minister (PM) of the Republic of Fiji Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka expressed his appreciation for Indonesia's strong commitment to establishing consistent diplomatic relations and respect for the sovereignty of friendly countries.

"You have been a very loyal friend, a loyal diplomatic friend, a loyal cooperation friend, since we established diplomatic relations in 1974," PM Rabuka noted.

According to PM Rabuka, Fiji sees Indonesia as a successful example of transformation from an agrarian society to a global economic power, and the country also welcomes opportunities for cooperation in the areas of defense and security, including training for Fiji's military and police personnel.

Reporting by Indonesia Window