Rashtriya Raksha University begins programmes for 180 officials from nine countries, covering international law, mental health and cybersecurity

Officials from Fiji and eight other Pacific countries will take part in a month-long training initiative led by Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), as India steps up its work with the island nations on public administration, security and technology.

The programme, launched in Suva on Monday, will bring together around 180 officials for specialised courses in international law and security, psychological well-being, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI).

RRU is working with the Ministry of Civil Service, Government of Fiji, with support from the High Commission of India in Fiji. The initiative follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s MAHASAGAR vision, which stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.

The opening ceremony was attended by Luke Rokovada, Chairman of Fiji’s Public Service Commission; Suneet Mehta, High Commissioner of India to Fiji; Pita Tagicakirewa, Permanent Secretary in Fiji’s Ministry of Civil Service; and RRU Vice-Chancellor Dr Bimal N Patel, who joined virtually.

The training comes as India and Fiji continue to expand cooperation in areas such as digital services, maritime security, defence training and disaster response.

Rokovada acknowledged India’s long-standing role in training Fijian officials and developing skills in the country. He described India as Fiji’s largest capacity-building partner and welcomed the university’s efforts to provide specialised courses for officials from Fiji and other Pacific Island nations.

Mehta said continued engagement with Pacific countries remained an important part of India’s international cooperation. He pointed to education, professional training and government-to-government ties as ways to build lasting relations between the two sides.

RRU Vice-Chancellor and Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Bimal N Patel, spoke about the need to help public institutions apply international law in their work.

He said, “My work across international legal diplomacy, scholarship and education has strengthened a simple conviction: international law serves people best when public institutions have the knowledge to put it into practice. As Vice-Chancellor of Rashtriya Raksha University and a Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, I attach particular value to strengthening that knowledge.”

The first course, a 10-day programme on the fundamentals of international law and security, began on 2 November. It has 60 participants from nine Pacific countries. The sessions will cover basic legal principles, recent developments in international law and their links with security concerns.

The second course, on stress management and psychological well-being, is scheduled for 16 to 23 November. It will cover mindfulness, burnout prevention, peer support and ways to manage stress.

The course will also examine the mental health effects of climate change, natural disasters and displacement. These issues carry particular importance for Pacific Island countries, where rising seas, extreme weather and disaster-related disruption pose risks to communities and public services.

The third course, on cybersecurity and AI, is scheduled for 24 to 30 November. Participants will study cybercrime investigation, digital forensics, network security, cyber law and the responsible use of AI. Practical demonstrations and training with relevant tools will form part of the programme.

India’s training work with Fiji has grown over several decades. The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, run by the Ministry of External Affairs, began in 1964. It provides training to officials and working professionals from partner countries in fields ranging from public administration and health to technology and security.

The Indian High Commission in Suva says the number of annual ITEC training places available to Fiji rose from 55 to 110 after Modi’s visit in 2014. The number increased further to 130 in 2024-25, following growing demand from Fiji.

At the 2023 Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) summit, India announced 1,000 Sagar Amrut scholarships for Pacific Island countries over five years, including 100 places each year for Fiji from 2023-24.

RRU has also trained more than 3,200 law-enforcement officials from 94 partner countries through programmes covering forensics, cyber education and policing. Another 52 students from 18 countries are pursuing two-year Master’s courses for law-enforcement professionals at the university.

The university’s work in Fiji also comes as the two countries expand cooperation in digital technology. In November 2024, India and Fiji signed an agreement on digital transformation, including training for Fijian officials in digital governance and cybersecurity.

In September 2026, the two countries held their second bilateral working group meeting on defence. Discussions covered military training, maritime security, cyber training and closer cooperation between their armed forces.

For Fiji and its Pacific neighbours, the Suva courses offer a chance to build skills in areas that affect the daily work of government agencies. Their value will depend on how officials use the training after returning to their departments, particularly when dealing with legal matters, public safety, cyber threats and emergencies.

RRU has said it plans to continue working with Fiji and other Pacific countries in fields such as maritime security, policing, disaster management, cybersecurity and professional education. The current programme adds another step to India’s long-running effort to support public-sector training in the region.

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