Fiji maintains an independent, but generally pro-Western, foreign policy. It has traditionally had close relations with its major trading partners Australia and New Zealand, although these relations cooled after both the 1987 and 2000 coups. Following free and fair elections in August-September 2001, relations with Australia warmed considerably. Australia is easily Fiji's most important bilateral partner. Fiji has recently adopted a "look north policy," establishing closer relations with the People's Republic of China. A significant increase in aid from China as well as an increase in Chinese immigration has resulted.

Since independence, Fiji has been a leader in the South Pacific region. Fiji is host for the secretariat of the 16 nation-Pacific Islands Forum, as well as a number of other prestigious regional organizations. Fiji hosted the Forum's annual summit in 2002 at which the Nasonini Declaration against terrorism was adopted. In 2002, Fiji also hosted the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Summit with more than 80 countries represented. During the ACP Summit, the Nadi Declaration was adopted regarding economic cooperation with the European Union. In July 2003, Fiji hosted the South Pacific Games, a prestigious event that went far beyond athletics and symbolized the country's return to normalcy. Over the years, other Pacific Island governments have generally been sympathetic to Fiji's internal political problems and have declined to take public positions.

Fiji became the 127th member of the United Nations on October 13, 1970, and participates actively in the organization. Fiji's contributions to UN peacekeeping are unique for a nation of its size. It maintains about 550 soldiers overseas in peacekeeping missions, mainly with MFO Sinai in the Middle East and the United Nations in East Timor. Fiji is considering contributing a unit of peacekeeping troops to the U.S.-led effort in post-war Iraq for deployment in late-2003.