Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced a series of initiatives aimed at boosting India's collaboration with Caribbean nations during the second India-Caricom Summit, held in Georgetown, Guyana, on Thursday. Modi met with leaders from nine Caribbean nations, focusing on enhancing bilateral ties and mutual cooperation.
Highlighting a unique interpretation of "Caricom," Modi explained that each letter of the word symbolized a significant pillar of collaboration: Capacity-building, Agriculture, Renewable energy, Innovation, Cricket and Culture, the Ocean economy, and Medicine and healthcare. "India is fully committed to elevating relations with the Caribbean region to new heights," Modi said, addressing the Caribbean leaders gathered at the summit.
During the event, Modi was honored with prestigious awards from two Caribbean nations—one from Guyana and another from the Commonwealth of Dominica.
Representatives from Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Barbados, Belize, Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Lucia attended the summit. They shared their insights on how India could assist in the region's development goals. Following the summit, several of these leaders held one-on-one discussions with Modi to explore opportunities for closer cooperation.
Modi expressed appreciation for the feedback provided, assuring the Caribbean leaders that India's proposals would be shared promptly and implemented in a "time-bound manner." He emphasized that the decisions reached during their discussions would "broaden our cooperation in various sectors," with the India-Caricom joint commission and working groups playing a crucial role in execution. Modi also suggested that the next Caricom summit be hosted in India.
As part of his plans, Modi announced the expansion of a technical development center in Belize, enabling all Caricom nations to benefit. Acknowledging the challenge of seaweed overgrowth in the region, he offered to share Indian technology to convert seaweed into fertilizer.
The Prime Minister also discussed introducing advanced farming tools, including drones and mechanized equipment, to boost agricultural productivity. Additionally, Modi announced the provision of India's cancer therapy device, Siddharth-2, to assist Caribbean healthcare. He also emphasized the power of sports, particularly cricket, to enhance cultural ties, proposing to train 11 female cricketers from each Caricom nation to promote women’s empowerment.
Modi assured the Caribbean nations that India's developmental aid would align with their priorities. He reaffirmed India's focus on the "concerns of the Global South," expressing satisfaction that Caribbean leaders shared India’s view on the necessity for reforms in global institutions.
Guyana honored Modi with its highest award, The Order of Excellence, recognizing his visionary leadership and dedication to strengthening India-Guyana relations. Modi dedicated the award to the people of India, highlighting the deep-rooted historical connections between the two nations. He is the fourth international leader to receive this prestigious award.
Dominica also recognized Modi with its highest national honor, the Dominica Award of Honour, acknowledging his statesmanship, aid during the COVID-19 pandemic, and efforts to fortify India-Dominica ties. The award was presented during the India-Caricom Summit, with the presence of several key Caribbean leaders, including the President of Guyana and the Prime Ministers of Barbados, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Antigua and Barbuda.
Modi expressed optimism that India’s relations with Caribbean nations would continue to flourish and strengthen in the future.
Barbados Welcomes PM Modi: A Historic Step in India-Caribbean Relations
PM Modi Lands in Guyana: Indian Diaspora in Guyana Prepares Grand Welcome
PM Modi Embarks on 5-Day Visit to Nigeria, Brazil, and Guyana: What's on the Agenda?