JGU alumnus elected as Prime Minister of Tonga

 
Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua, an alumnus of the Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA), was elected in December as the 20th Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga.

Lord Fakafanua enrolled in 2016 in JSIA's flagship MA in Diplomacy, Law and Business (MA DLB) programme, along with his spouse, Lady Krystal Fane Kite, and graduated in 2018. Even while pursuing a full-time degree in India, Lord Fakafanua remained actively involved in domestic politics in Tonga. In December 2017, he became the Speaker of the Tongan Legislative Assembly, applying the knowledge, perspectives, and experiences gained during his time at JSIA to strengthen governance and democratic institutions in his native country.

He often shared with his professors that the unusual decision taken by him and his spouse to come to India and study at a leading Indian university like JGU was profoundly validated by the rich learning, global exposure, and intellectual insights he gained from living and studying at a truly global university located in the world's largest democracy.

Lady Fane Kite has also remained deeply committed to public service in Tonga over the years. In June 2025, she was officially appointed as the Honorary Consul of India to the Kingdom of Tonga, with the full backing of the Government of India. She fondly recalls the two formative years spent at JGU and firmly believes that her education and experiences in JGU enabled her to achieve greater heights in her professional and public life.

Tonga is a small island nation in the Pacific Ocean, with a population of just over 100,000 people. Yet, it holds significant strategic importance due to its geographic location and natural resources. India's engagement with the Pacific Island countries is steadily expanding under its 'Act East Policy'. Tonga is a core member of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC), a structured dialogue platform that brings together 14 Pacific Island nations and India through regular summit-level engagements to advance economic and strategic cooperation.

The election of Lord Fakafanua as Prime Minister of Tonga, together with the presence of Lady Fane Kite as India's Honorary Consul in Tonga, augurs exceptionally well for FIPIC and for India's growing role as a full-fledged Indo-Pacific power, extending its influence into far-flung maritime regions beyond the Indian Ocean.

JGU takes great pride in Lord Fakafanua's distinguished achievements in public life and national leadership. He will always remain a remarkable ambassador of JGU and a powerful symbol of educational cooperation between India and the Pacific island countries. Our alumni, both Indian and international, continue to excel across diverse fields and sectors worldwide, but this marks the first time in JGU's history that one of our alumni has risen to the highest public office of a nation.