U.S. and Fiji initiate talks on expanding military ties

Reuters

The United States and Fiji have initiated talks to strengthen military ties, U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Saturday (23 November), following his Indo-Pacific trip.

Discussions focus on a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) that would allow U.S. forces to deploy to Fiji for joint training and support.

The U.S. also pledged $4.9 million for Fiji's military modernisation and signed a logistics cooperation deal.

Austin's visit, the first by a U.S. Defence Secretary, highlights growing bilateral relations, despite Fiji's ongoing security cooperation with China. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka emphasised Fiji’s commitment to working closely with the U.S., including under the upcoming Trump administration.

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