Australia and Fiji, an important country in the Pacific region, have signed a historic defense agreement, which has been named Ocean of Peace Alliance. Now Fiji has become the fourth country in Australia, along with America, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, with which it has a formal defense agreement. Under this agreement, both the countries will cooperate in each other’s security and defense if needed. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed the agreement with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in Fiji’s capital Suva. Let us know why Fiji strengthened relations with Australia and New Zealand by keeping distance from China. What impact will this agreement have on India, QUAD and Indo-Pacific strategy?
What is ‘Ocean of Peace’ Alliance?
This step is being considered a major step taken directly towards stopping China’s increasing military and diplomatic interference in the Pacific Ocean. These are important points of the agreement…
- Mutual Defence: Both countries will be committed to protecting each other.
- Protecting Sovereignty: The purpose of this agreement is to recognize the commitment between the two parties to defend their sovereignty, secure their mutual defense and security interests and contribute to the stability of the Pacific region.
- Shared discussion on threats: Both countries will consult each other on any security-related developments that may threaten their sovereignty.
With this deal, Fiji has now become Australia’s fourth treaty bound ally after the United States, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
What was Australia afraid of China?
Its roots are hidden in the year 2022. In 2022, China had signed a secret security agreement with the Solomon Islands, located very close to Australia. This agreement gave rise to fears that China might establish its own permanent military base on the Solomon Islands in the future. If this had happened, then for the first time since the Second World War, the navy of an opposing country would have been deployed on Australia’s doorstep.
China has extensively used checkbook diplomacy (making influence through money) to make inroads in the Pacific islands. Beijing has spent millions of dollars to build sports stadiums, Rashtrapati Bhavan, big hospitals and roads in these small but strategically important countries of the Pacific Ocean. Lured by this money from China, countries like Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Nauru broke their decades-old diplomatic relations with Taiwan and joined Beijing in supporting the ‘One China Policy’.
Fiji’s disillusionment with China
The history of Fiji’s relations with China and Australia has been quite interesting. During the tenure of former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, the closeness between Fiji and China had increased significantly. Actually, Bainimarama captured power in Fiji through a military coup in 2006. After this coup, Australia and Western countries imposed trade and economic sanctions on Fiji. Finding himself isolated internationally, Bainimarama turned to China for economic help, and China took advantage of this opportunity.
However, in 2022, there was a change in power in Fiji and Sitweni Rabuka became Prime Minister. Since Rabuka came to power, China’s influence in Fiji has continuously decreased. Rabuka made it clear that Fiji would prefer to move along with its traditional allies Australia and New Zealand. In 2025, Rabuka had clearly said that Fiji would never allow China to build a permanent military base here.
Australia’s diplomatic counterattack
After China’s entry in Solomon Islands, Australia has increased its diplomatic efforts on war footing. Before Fiji, Australia has also signed important security agreements with Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Tuvalu. Australia signed a June 2026 security agreement with Vanuatu, which explicitly bans the establishment of any foreign military base in the Pacific nation. This was a direct block for China.
What does the deal mean for India?
This turmoil taking place in the Pacific Ocean is not limited to just Australia and China. This will also have a direct impact on India’s interests. Let us understand how
1. Indo-Pacific vision and strength of QUAD
India, America, Japan and Australia are members of Quad. The main objective of Quad is to ensure ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’. If Australia stops China from building a military base in the Pacific region, it is indirectly a victory for India’s Indo-Pacific vision. If China’s navy remains entangled in the Pacific Ocean and is unable to dominate there, then the pressure on India in the Indian Ocean is reduced.
2. Security of maritime trade routes
A major part of the world’s trade passes through the Pacific Ocean. If China had established its military control over these island countries, then in future it could create obstacles to the global supply chain and sea routes. The coming together of Fiji, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea with Western countries is good news for freedom of trade routes.
3. Support to India’s own diplomacy (FIPIC)
India itself is strengthening its relations with Pacific island countries. Through the ‘Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation’ (FIPIC), India is helping these countries in health, IT, solar energy and dealing with climate change. PM Modi has also visited Papua New Guinea. Australia’s strength in the region also provides a secure and favorable environment for India’s diplomatic efforts.
4. Influence of Indian origin in Fiji
The relationship between Fiji and India is deep and historical. About 37% to 40% of the total population of Fiji is of Indian origin. Political and strategic stability in Fiji is directly in the interest of the Indian diaspora living there. If Fiji escapes China’s debt trap and builds defense relations with a democratic country like Australia, it will create a stable and secure environment there.
Fiji’s strong stand with Australia proves that China’s path in the Pacific Ocean is not going to be easy. The world’s balance of power is now being decided in the Indo-Pacific region, and Australia’s move could prove to be a masterstroke.
Also read: From Indonesia to New Zealand… PM Modi on tour of 6 countries
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