India's Quick Impact Project Brings Clean Water to Fiji's Tubalevu Village

India's Quick Impact Project Expands Clean Drinking Water Access in Fiji

The Government of India has initiated a new development partnership with the Republic of Fiji under its Quick Impact Project (QIP) framework, aiming to provide clean drinking water to local communities in Fiji. The Tubalevu Village Ground Water Supply Project marks the first QIP implementation in Fiji, reinforcing the ongoing commitment to sustainable development and public health cooperation between the two nations.

Background: India–Fiji Development Partnership

India and Fiji share an enduring cooperation focused on capacity building, public health, and community-level infrastructure development. At the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga in 2024, India announced the Tubalevu Village Ground Water Supply Project as part of its broader efforts to support Pacific island nations with targeted, rapidly executed solutions to critical needs.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalizing this partnership was signed between India and Fiji, establishing the project as a priority in their bilateral relations. The Quick Impact Project model, funded through Indian grant assistance, is designed to accelerate implementation timelines and generate immediate, tangible benefits for beneficiary communities.

Project Scope and Objectives

The Tubalevu Village Ground Water Supply Project focuses on enabling access to safe and clean drinking water for residents of Tubalevu and neighboring areas. This intervention leverages ground water resources, applying appropriate water treatment and distribution technologies suited to Fiji's rural context. The primary objectives are:

• To provide a reliable source of potable water to the local population, reducing dependence on unsustainable or unsafe sources.
• To improve public health outcomes by minimizing the incidence of waterborne diseases and ensuring the well-being of vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.
• To build resilience in rural water supply infrastructure, with potential scalability to other communities in Fiji and similar island environments.

Implementation Framework

The project follows the operational model established under India’s QIP framework, which emphasizes rapid delivery, local partnership, and outcome-based evaluation. The Indian Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation and allied technical agencies collaborate directly with Fiji’s Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Services, and other relevant departments.

Project phases include site assessment, drilling and installation of ground water extraction systems, construction of storage and treatment facilities, and establishment of distribution points accessible to the village population. Local community representatives and stakeholders are involved at each stage, ensuring that implementation aligns with specific needs and promotes community ownership.

Expertise and Knowledge Exchange

India has also incorporated a technical cooperation component, sharing know-how from its national Jal Jeevan Mission and similar large-scale water supply programmes. Indian water resource experts are offering guidance on hydrogeological assessment, sustainable extraction rates, and inexpensive purification methods adapted to Pacific island conditions.

Capacity-building initiatives run in parallel, training local technicians on system maintenance and monitoring protocols to ensure long-term sustainability after project completion. The partnership also paves the way for further joint studies and pilot activities in the broader region.

Administrative Announcements and Official Statements

The Tubalevu Village Ground Water Supply Project was officially announced as part of the outcomes from the visit of Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to India in August 2025. During high-level bilateral meetings, leaders from both nations reaffirmed their shared commitment to partnership and sustainable development, acknowledging the project as a milestone in India–Fiji relations.

"Reaffirming Development Partnership as a cornerstone of India–Fiji cooperation, the Leaders welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the Tubalevu Village Ground Water Supply Project for the first Quick Impact Project (QIP) in the Republic of Fiji as announced by India at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting held in Tonga in 2024, which will enable the provision of clean drinking water for local communities."

The project forms part of a broader suite of development assistance activities, which includes healthcare collaboration, pharmaceutical sector support, and digital health connectivity. These efforts are implemented within the ethos of "Veilomani Dosti," a spirit of friendship and mutual growth.

Public Impact and Expected Benefits

Improved access to clean drinking water has multiple positive effects on public health, education, and economic productivity. By reducing the time and effort spent, often by women and children, to collect water from distant or unreliable sources, the project enables greater participation in schooling and income-generating activities.

Household health is expected to improve through the reduction in waterborne diseases, contributing to lower healthcare costs and happier, more resilient communities. The presence of a sustainable water source further supports the village’s preparedness against drought conditions and climate-related disruptions.

The Quick Impact Project model demonstrates the effectiveness of targeted, time-bound development interventions in small but vital infrastructure sectors. Its replication in other villages and Pacific island communities is anticipated as a logical next step, building on knowledge gained from Tubalevu.

Framework for Monitoring and Evaluation

Robust mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation have been integrated into the project design. Key performance indicators include water quality and quantity standards, system reliability metrics, community satisfaction levels, and post-project maintenance records.

Annual joint reviews by Indian and Fijian authorities will assess progress and outcomes, facilitating transparency and adaptive management. Feedback from community users will be collected through local governance structures to shape future modifications and ensure the project’s sustained relevance.

Context within India’s Regional Initiatives

The Quick Impact Project in Fiji builds on India's expanding role as a development partner to Pacific island nations. Through similar projects in infrastructure, health, and education, India seeks to share its experience in cost-effective public service delivery and reinforce South-South cooperation.

The Government of India has announced comparable QIPs in partner countries across the Indian Ocean and South Pacific, targeting clean water provision, solar electrification, and skill-building as priority areas. The experience from the Tubalevu project will inform future initiatives, optimizing strategies for small-island state contexts marked by unique environmental and logistical challenges.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

India’s assistance to Fiji aligns with global development priorities set out in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Enhancing access to safe drinking water is recognized as both a human right and a catalyst for broader socio-economic development, including gender equality, health, and climate resilience.

The project’s methodology, rooted in rapid turnaround and collaborative governance, offers best practices for advancing SDG implementation through bilateral development cooperation.

Future Prospects and Stakeholder Engagement

With the successful launch of the Tubalevu Village Ground Water Supply Project, both the Indian and Fijian governments have indicated willingness to extend the QIP model to additional sectors and locations. Areas under consideration include renewable energy, digital learning infrastructure, and further expansion of healthcare facilities.

Continuous consultation with beneficiary communities and local authorities will guide the identification and prioritization of future projects. Technical exchanges and capacity-building seminars are expected to deepen institutional relationships and build a cadre of trained personnel capable of independently managing similar interventions.

Conclusion

The Tubalevu Village Ground Water Supply Project represents a significant advance in India–Fiji relations and a practical demonstration of how strategic, rapid-impact interventions can address pressing public needs. Going beyond financial grant assistance, the project is anchored in a comprehensive framework of local engagement, knowledge sharing, and results-based management.

As both countries drive forward this partnership, the lessons learned from implementation and monitoring of the QIP are expected to inform future regional cooperation, ensuring that development outcomes are scaled and sustained for the benefit of all stakeholders.