On 13 April 2005, Fiji's prime minister,Laisenia Qarase, rejected criticism from Australia and some other countries over the prosecution and imprisonment of two foreigners charged with committing homosexual acts, which were illegal in Fiji at the time, and said that other countries needed to respect Fiji's independence. Qarase said that as member of the United Nations, Fiji was as entitled as any other country to make its own laws as it saw fit.

The Australian Government took a more measured position than its New Zealand counterpart over the controversialReconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill being debated in the FijianParliament. Susan Boyd, a former AustralianHigh Commissioner to Fiji, strongly criticized the legislation, but Foreign MinisterAlexander Downer said that it is an "internal matter" and that Australia does not want to get involved. He did, however, condemn recent threats from themilitary commander,CommodoreFrank Bainimarama, to declaremartial law and arrest members of the present government if the bill is passed. The Australian High Commission in Suva told Bainimarama that his threats are not "the proper role for the military in a democracy."

AustralianForeign MinisterAlexander Downer visited Fiji for two days of talks, from 28 to 30 September 2005. Downer met government ministers and officials,Opposition LeaderMahendra Chaudhry, andmilitary commander CommodoreFrank Bainimarama. The talks covered the controversial Unity Bill, as well as the future of Fiji's preferential trade access to the Australian market, which the Fijian Government regards as a priority. Downer said that he intended to elaborate further on Australian Prime Minister John Howard's promise of a seven-year extension of theSPARTECA–TCF scheme, which assists Fiji's textile, clothing, and footwear industry.

Foreign Minister Tavola expressed grave concern on 7 February 2006, about a proposedregional trade agreement (RTA) between Australia and China, saying that Fiji's exports to Australia would be unable to compete with Chinese products. For that reason, Fiji was persisting in its efforts to persuade Australia to renew theSouth Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation – Textile Clothing Footwear (SPARTECA–TCF) scheme, to improve the competitiveness of Fijian exports, theFiji Live news service reported.^[25]

TheFiji Times reported on 14 September 2006, that Prime Ministers Qarase and Howard had discussed possible Australian assistance for the reform of Fiji's sugar industry, with Howard reported receptive to giving aid. Qarase said that he had asked Australia to provide two or three experts to help with the establishment of the proposedFiji Research Sugar Institute.^[26]

Regarding the coup, Australia's foreign minister at the time, Alexander Downer, said that the military were "slowly trying to take control" and pressured the PM to resign.^[27] It was reported that in 2006 Fiji's Prime Minister Qarase asked Australia's Prime Minister John Howard for military assistance should a coup take place, but Howard declined.

2009 events; coup and diplomatic rift

On 3 November 2009 Fiji ordered the diplomatic envoys of Australia to leave Fiji within 24 hours.^[28] The expulsion of the diplomats followed accusations by leader of Fiji, Frank Bainimarama, that Australia and New Zealand were interfering in Fiji's internal affairs and "wage a negative campaign against the government and people of Fiji".^[28] In particular Bainimarama says that the two countries were exerting pressure on Sri Lankan judges, brought in by Bainimarama to replace the uncooperative local judiciary, not to travel to the country and refusing to grant them transit visas.^[28] The Australian government denied this and stated that it only advised the judges that once they took up office in Fiji they would be subject to an existing travel ban in place against Fijian officials.^[28] Australia's senior diplomat in Fiji was also expelled in the 2006 coup.^[29] Fiji announced its withdrawal of their high commissioner from Australia.^[28]

Australia and New Zealand responded on 4 November 2009, expelling Fiji's diplomats from both those countries.^[29]Stephen Smith, Australian Foreign Minister, rejected any accusations of meddling in Fiji's affairs and said that he was "deeply disappointed" by Fiji's actions.^[29] The then Prime MinisterKevin Rudd said that he would maintain his tough stance against Fiji in order to prevent a "coup culture" spreading around the Pacific.

• Australia has a High Commission inSuva.
• Fiji has a High Commission inCanberra and a consulate-general inSydney.

• Brazil is accredited to Fiji from its embassy in Canberra, Australia.
• Fiji does not have an accreditation to Brazil.

• Chile is accredited to Fiji from its embassy in Wellington, New Zealand and maintains an honorary consulate in Suva.
• Fiji is accredited to Chile from its embassy in Brasilia, Brazil.

A diplomatic row with China erupted on 5 May 2005, when PresidentChen Shui-bian of Taiwan arrived for a private visit and was welcomed at a private function atSuva'sSheraton Resort byVice-PresidentRatuJoni Madraiwiwi,RatuOvini Bokini (Chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs), Senate PresidentTaito Waqavakatoga and several otherSenators andMPs, and several judges includingChief JusticeDaniel Fatiaki. Foreign MinisterKaliopate Tavola asserted that those who attended the welcoming ceremony did so "of their own accord," not as government representatives, and that Prime Minister Qarase's presence in the same hotel where President Chen was staying was purely "coincidental." Chinese ambassadorCai Jin Biao rejected this explanation, and said that the visit was a violation of theOne China Policy, to which Fiji had agreed when diplomatic relations were established in 1975, which would "sabotage relations between China and Fiji." He charged that Prime Minister Qarase and Foreign Minister Tavola had known of the upcoming visit for months. The embassy issued a further statement on 7 May, demanding that Fiji discontinue any effort to establish a dialogue with Taiwan.

The row escalated when, on 16 May, Health MinisterSolomone Naivalu voted in support of Taiwan's bid to gain observer status at theWorld Health Assembly in Geneva. Naivalu had apparently done so on his own initiative, contrary to a government briefing, sparking a major public disagreement between himself and Foreign Minister Tavola.Jia Qinglin, chairman of thePeople's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), was dispatched to Fiji and met Prime Minister Qarase during a brief stopover on 21–22 May, a move that Tavola said was not coincidental. He said that Fiji could not afford to lose China, and that the government would ensure that "careless incidences" like Naivalu's vote in Geneva would not recur. Naivalu responded by saying that his vote was nothing new: "We always support Taiwan to get observer status every year," he said.

On 10 December 2005,The New Zealand Herald quoted Tavola as saying that Fiji would have to find a way to resolve a stand-off between the PRC and Taiwan, over membership of the Suva-basedCouncil of South Pacific Tourism Organisation; China was resisting Taiwanese attempts to join the organization on an equal basis. "If China had its way it would not want Taiwan on that. So we have to resolve the situation amicably and are looking at how both countries can be represented there," Tavola said.

In defence of the earlier incident over the Taiwanese President's visit, Tavola said that it was the Pacific way to welcome people."Even when considering Taiwan as a province of China, he went on,the President of a province is a man of high profile, so when he comes there is an urge to extend hospitality." It did not signify any modification to Fiji's adherence to the One China policy, he had explained to the Chinese ambassador.

China has invested in a number of major projects in Fiji. These include the Suva sports stadium, built for theSouth Pacific Games of 2003.

On 14 December 2005, Fiji'smilitary commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama began an official visit to China, at the invitation of thePeople's Liberation Army. He reaffirmed Fiji's support for the One China policy.

It was announced on 24 January 2006 that ChinesePremierWen Jiabao would visit Fiji that April to open the China-Pacific Islands Countries Economic Development & Cooperation Forum Ministerial Conference 2006 at Sofitel Fiji Resort in Nadi, a conference of economic and trade ministers from Pacific Island countries. Six prime ministers from neighbouring countries are expected to participate, according to aFiji Times report on 23 February. His visit to Fiji will be the first by a senior Chinese Government official.

In an interview withPACNEWS on 1 February 2006,Jeremaia Waqanisau, Fiji's ambassador to Beijing, made a stinging attack on the efficiency of the Fijian civil service, saying that it negatively affected Fiji's ability to present itself to China.Cabinet ministers visited China without the Fijian embassy being informed, he complained. Certain civil servants were extremely passive in their dealings with China, he said. Another factor inhibiting Chinese investment was theinstability caused by friction between the government and the military, he surmised, and the Fijian embassy in Beijing was continually engaged in damage control.

Fiji's ambassador to the United Nations,Berenado Vunibobo, stated in 2008 that his country could seek closer relations with Cuba, and in particular medical assistance, following a decline inFiji's relations with New Zealand.^[30] Fiji's foreign minister RatuEpeli Nailatikau took part in thefirst Cuba-Pacific Islands ministerial meeting inHavana in September 2008.^[31]

• Fiji is accredited to Cuba from its High Commission in New Delhi, India.
• Cuba has an embassy in Suva.

• Cyprus is represented in Fiji by its High Commission inCanberra, Australia.^[32]
• Both countries are full members of theCommonwealth of Nations asrepublics.

Relations between France and Fiji are currently strained, due to France's condemnation of the2006 Fijian coup d'état. Previously, Franco-Fiji bilateral relations had primarily been centred on military cooperation, with France assisting Fiji in surveiling its maritime zone, and on development aid. French military assistance was suspended after the coup.

French aid to Fiji includes the providing of equipment for poor and isolated areas, and assistance in the development ofrenewable energy. France also provides Fiji with translations into English of French scientific documents pertaining to the Pacific area. France promotesFrench culture and the French language in Fiji through the presence of theAlliance Française and by encouraging the teaching of French in schools and at theUniversity of the South Pacific.

• Fiji is accredited to France from its embassy in Brussels, Belgium.
• France has an embassy in Suva.

• Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 March 2010.^[35][36]
• Fiji is represented in Georgia by its embassy inBrussels, Belgium.^[37]
• Georgia is represented in Fiji by its embassy inCanberra, Australia.^[36]

• Diplomatic relations were established in 1978.^[38]
• Fiji is represented in Greece through its embassy inBrussels, Belgium.^[38]
• Greece is represented in Fiji through its embassy inWellington, New Zealand^[38] and an honorary consulate in Suva.^[39]

Fiji's relationship with India is often seen by observers against the backdrop of the sometimes tense relations between itsindigenous people and the 38 percent of the population who are ofIndian descent. A major diplomatic event for Fiji in 2005 occurred from 8 to 15 October, when Prime MinisterLaisenia Qarase and Foreign MinisterKaliopate Tavola made an official visit to India.

• India has a High Commission in Suva.^[40][41]
• Fiji maintains a High Commission in New Delhi.^[42]

Relations with Israel have generally been cordial, with Fiji usually taking positions sympathetic to Israel in United Nations resolutions. Relations were strained in July 2006, however, when three Israelis, who arrived in Fiji on the 13th, were arrested and deported.Amit Ronen,Eldar Avracohen, andNimrod Lahav were detained in a jail cell atNadi Airport for six hours and deported to Australia the next day, for their alleged mistreatment ofPalestinians.^[43]

• Fiji has an embassy inTokyo.
• Japan has an embassy in Suva.

Fiji recognised the Republic of Kosovo on 19 November 2012^[44] and established official diplomatic relations on 13 February 2013.^[45]

Both countries were part of theBritish Empire and have a long-standing relationship because many Fijian soldiers served inPeninsular Malaysia during theMalayan Emergency from 1952 to 1956.^[46]

• Fiji is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.^[47]
• Mexico is accredited to Fiji from its embassy in Canberra, Australia and maintains an honorary consulate in Suva.^[48]

On 10 June 2005, Foreign Minister Tavola signed a "Memorandum of Understanding" with his New Zealandcounterpart,Phil Goff, aimed at fostering cooperation in the fight against terrorism. Meanwhile, New Zealand's Prime MinisterHelen Clark announced that New Zealand would double its annual aid to Fiji, from NZ$4 million to NZ$8 million. Much of this aid, the Fijian Government revealed, would be used for poverty alleviation and squatter resettlement.

New Zealand's Foreign MinisterWinston Peters (who replaced Goff in late 2005) flew into Fiji on 8 February 2006, for three days of talks with Fijian Government officials. He met Prime Minister Qarase, Finance MinisterRatuJone Kubuabola, andmilitary commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama on the first day of his visit; meetings with Foreign Minister Tavola andHouse of RepresentativesSpeakerRatuEpeli Nailatikau were held later. The meeting with Bainimarama attracted some media attention; Bainimarama said that the meeting had been approved by Prime Minister Qarase and that there was nothing underhanded about it.

The talks are to cover such matters as thePacific Plan and a cost-sharing agreement for a citizen education project, promoted by theUnited Nations Development Programme.

The New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters described the 2006 coup as a "creeping siege on democratic institutions".^[49] Helen Clark said that the Fijian constitution only allowed the president to request the dissolving of parliament if the prime minister no longer had the confidence of the parliament and that this was clearly not the case.^[50] The New Zealand Government has also stated those taking part in the coup will be banned from entry to New Zealand, and that military ties, aid and sporting contacts will be cut. Helen Clark has said in theNZ Herald that she would consider sanctions against Fiji.^[51]

On 3 November 2009, Fiji ordered the diplomatic envoys of New Zealand to leave Fiji within 24 hours.^[28] The expulsion of the diplomats followed accusations by leader of Fiji, Frank Bainimarama, that Australia and New Zealand were interfering in Fiji's internal affairs and attempting to "wage a negative campaign against the government and people of Fiji".^[28] In particular Bainimarama says that the two countries were exerting pressure on Sri Lankan judges, brought in by Bainimarama to replace the uncooperative local judiciary, not to travel to the country and refusing to grant them transit visas.^[28] New Zealand's top diplomat in Fiji at the time was Todd Cleaver.^[29]

New Zealand returned the favour on 4 November when it expelled Fiji's acting head of mission, Kuliniasi Seru Savou, from the country.^[29] New Zealand's Foreign MinisterMurray McCully said that "Diplomatic relations with Fiji are roughly the same they have been for the last couple of years unfortunately" and that "we have had our ups and downs and unfortunately today they are down".^[29] The event marked the third time that New Zealand's top diplomat in Fiji has been expelled since the 2006 coup.^[29]

• Fiji has a High Commission inWellington.
• New Zealand has a High Commission in Suva.

Relations between Fiji and Papua New Guinea became strained in November 2005, in the wake of revelations that a number of Fijian citizens, possibly mercenaries, had entered Papua New Guinea illegally and were involved in arming and training aseparatistmilitia on the island ofBougainville.

On a separate matter, PNG Trade and Industry MinisterPaul Tiensten was quoted inFiji Village on 21 February 2006 as saying that sanctions against Fiji were being considered, following a Fijian refusal of a PNGkava shipment and an earlier rejection ofcorned beef shipped from PNG.

• See alsoFijian mercenaries in Bougainville

• Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 August 1975.^[52]
• Romania is represented in Fiji by its embassy inCanberra, Australia.^[53]

• Fiji is accredited to Russia from its embassy in Tokyo, Japan.
• Russia is accredited to Fiji from its embassy in Canberra, Australia.

• Fiji is accredited to Samoa from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs based in Suva.
• Samoa has a High Commission in Suva, which was established early in 2021.^[54]

Diplomatic relations are currently cordial, although the Solomon Islands government has aligned itself with other countries in the region to urge Fiji interim Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama to restore democracy in Fiji. Fiji and the Solomon Islands are both located inMelanesia, and are both members of theMelanesian Spearhead Group. They also participate in other regional organisations including thePacific Islands Forum. In August 2008, it was announced that the Solomon Islands intended to open aHigh Commission inSuva,^[55] and in December the government of Fiji announced that it had "formally endorsed the establishment of a Resident Diplomatic Mission in Suva by the Government of the Solomon Islands".^[56] Fiji's High Commission to Papua New Guinea is accredited to the Solomon Islands. In July 2014, a row between the two nations erupted over air services which resulted in both nations airlines being prevented to fly over the other. But both nations reached an agreement in early January 2015 to lift the suspension of their Air Services Agreement, allowing Fiji Airways and Solomon Airlines to fly between the two countries. Fiji's Civil Aviation Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said both airlines are entitled to operate three flights per week. Fiji Airways Chief executive Stefan Pichler has indicated they will begin the flights in March however Solomon Airlines has yet to confirm when they will begin their flights.^[57]

The Republic of the Fiji Islands and the Republic of Korea established official diplomatic relations in 1970, when Fiji became independent.^[58] There is a South Korean embassy in Suva^[59] and a Fijian embassy inSeoul.^[60] Relations between the two countries are currently friendly, and are being strengthened at the initiative of the Fijian authorities.

It was reported on 2 November 2005 that a territorial dispute was looming between Fiji and Tonga over a reef lying to the south of both countries. The people ofOno-i-Lau in theLau Islands archipelago claim thatMinerva Reef is part of their traditional fishing ground.Attorney GeneralQoriniasi Bale told theLauProvincial Council that the government had a team of experts preparing a case to be taken to theUnited Nations International Seabed Authority, which is based in Jamaica. The reef has also been claimed by Tonga since 1972, and Tonga'sSurveyor General,Tevita Malolo, toldRadio New Zealand that Fiji had never contested Tonga's claim until now.

• Turkish ambassador inWellington toNew Zealand is also accredited toFiji.^[61]

• Fiji has non-resident ambassador resident in Suva accredited to Tuvalu.
• Tuvalu has a High Commission in Suva.

Fiji establisheddiplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 10 October 1970.

• Fiji maintains ahigh commission inLondon.^[62]
• The United Kingdom is accredited to Fiji through itshigh commission in Suva.^[63]

The UK governedFiji from 1874 until 1970, when Fiji achieved full independence.

Both countries share common membership of theCommonwealth, theInternational Criminal Court, and theWorld Trade Organization, as well as thePacific States–United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreement.^[64] Bilaterally the two countries have a Double Taxation Convention.^[65]

Before the 2006 coup, the US government was highly critical of Fiji, causing tensions between the two countries.

Relations are currently poor, due to the United States' opposition to Fiji's unelected government which took power after the coup d'état in December 2006 and did not allow elections until September 2014.

• Fiji has an embassy inWashington, D.C.
• United States has an embassy inSuva.