Insight for Sunday 6 October 2013

Since Fiji's military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, took over the country in the 2006 coup, his regime has concentrated on making new friends and gaining influence beyond Fiji's traditional Pacific partners.                    

 It has strengthened links with China and made new deals with the likes of Russia and the Arab states.

Wellington and Canberra were among those to put sanctions on Fiji after the coup, but they are now easing up on the regime, with its promise of elections next year.

 In the meantime, Suva has set up a host of new diplomatic posts much further afield and Commodore Bainimarama has been busy on the international stage.

Radio New Zealand International's Sally Round asks whether the new links can endure and what they mean for the region.  

Image: Leaders at the Fiji-run Pacific Island Development Forum