Location: Fiji consists of 332 islands and islets in western S. Pacific, lying 1750 km north of New Zealand. The largest of the islands Viti Levu constituting more than half of the total land area of Fiji islands is the seat of the government. Fiji lies on the main route between Australia, New Zealand and North America and its centre of communications in the South West Pacific.

History: These islands came under British rule in 1874. From 1879, indentured Indian labour was imported into the islands to work on European Sugar plantations. Practically all the Indian workers settled permanently in the islands. Their descendants now form abut half of the population. Melanesians, the original inhabitants, make up 43 percent, the rest being made up of Europeans. Chinese and others. On October 10, 1970 Britain granted independence to Fiji.

In October 1987 military strongman Col. Sitiveni Rabuka declared Fiji a republic defying popularly elected government headed by Dr. Thimoci Bavadra, leader of the majority Indian ethnic group. A civilian government was restored to power in December.

A new constitution favouring indigenous Fijians was issued in July, 1990. In the 70-member Parliament, there were 27 seats for Indians. The posts of President and PM wee reserved for indigenous Fijians.

Labour Party leader Mahendra Choudhry, the first ethnic Indian to hold the post, became PM in June 99.

On May, 19, 2000 George Speight, a local businessman, took most of the Cabinet hostage. He favoured dominance of Indigenous Fijians. Two months of political unrest ended in July with the formation of a new government. Speight was imprisoned. The deposed PM Chaudhry was freed in July after 55 days of captivity. Indian were offered 14 cabinet posts in 2003.

Food and Trade: Fiji is a famous tourist centre. Its major products are agricultural. Sugar and coconuts from 90 percent of the total exports. Rice and ginger are grown too. Mining is limited and industries are (sugar refining, light industry and tourism), growing. Gold is mined on Viti Levu, and is another major export.

Indian Mission in Fiji:
High Commission of India
Level 7, LICI Building
Butt Street, P.O. Box 471
Suva, Fiji Islands
Tel: 00-679-301125
Fax: 00-679-301032
Email:hicomindsuva@is.com.fj