Although Tonga and Fiji have historically kept good bilateral relations and a peaceful alliance, these may now be affected by the territorial dispute over Minerva Reefs. In February 2011, Fiji and Tonga denied any trace of conflict. The Fiji government said there was "no official dispute" between the two countries, but that UN officials from the two sides were leading discussions on the matter (Radio New Zealand 2011). After Fiji’s destruction of Tonga’s navigation equipment in May 2011, Fiji’s Deputy Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Sila Balawa declared that Tonga remained "one of Fiji’s closest friends" and hoped that the disagreement would be resolved through "peaceful dialogue". On the other hand, the Tongan government described Fiji’s destruction as “an act of vandalism”, threatening the international shipping, but stressed the need to resolve the dispute “under International law for the settlement of disputes between civilized societies". In early June 2011, Tonga sent new ships to the Reef in order to replace the destroyed equipment, but this time Fijian ships reportedly withdrew from the zone, avoiding further tension and the emergence of a military conflict. In a report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government of Fiji reiterated its claims over the Minerva Reefs and stated that any challenge to Fijian territorial maritime boundary had to be “directed to the United Nations dispute resolution mechanism in the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea” (Ministry of Foreig Affairs 2011). Finally, as an attempt to end the conflict, Tonga’s land minister Lord Ma'afu suggested, in 2014, the exchange of islands with Fiji. He proposed ceding the Minerva Reefs in return for Fiji’s Lau islands groups, which represent more than half of Fiji’s total sea. Fiji’s government awaits the formal proposal but the provincial council of Lau remains skeptical about the offer (BBC News 2014).

As of today, the territorial dispute remains unresolved. Since both sides deny any official conflict, discussions have not reached any supranational entities, and no international governmental organisations have clarified their position on the matter. This does not mean, however, that the dispute does not have global implications. On the contrary, other States may become involved, motivated mainly by economical interests. According to IHS Global Insight, a London based strategic analyst firm, “scientific expeditions have shown that the water between Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand are among the most potentially lucrative in the world for relatively easily accessible minerals” (Field 2011). Statements from the Canadian company Nautilus Minerals and its partner Teck Cominco Ltd, which explored areas to the north of Minerva, claimed that the seabed in that area is rich in gold, copper, zinc and silver. This may awaken the interests of other countries. It is the case of New Zealand, whose continental shelf claims could intersect with Minerva Reefs. Diplomatic sources have noted that New Zealand has never formally recognised Tonga’s claim and that could oddly find itself backing Fiji’s claim over the territory. In addition, South Korea, China and Australia are also reportedly seeking prospecting rights in the region.