PM Modi Advances India-CARICOM Relations at Key Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the top leaders of Caribbean nations on the margins of the India-CARICOM Summit here and discussed strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation across several key areas.
The Prime Minister arrived in Guyana earlier in the day the first visit by an Indian head of the state to the country in more than 50 years.
He held discussions with leaders of the Caribbean partner countries on the sidelines of the second India-Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Summit.
"Had an excellent meeting with Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana. The President himself enjoys a strong bond with India", PM Modi said on social media.
The two leaders reviewed the bilateral developmental cooperation, in sectors including skill development, capacity building, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, education and energy.
"India will always be a trusted partner for Guyana in sectors such as infrastructure, shipping, technology and more," he said, terming the Caribbean nation's back-up for initiatives like International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and Global Biofuels Alliance 'noteworthy'.
He also met Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley.
"During the meeting, Prime Minister of Barbados announced the decision of her government to confer on the Prime Minister the Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados Award, recognising his leadership in assisting during the Covid-19 pandemic and commitment to India-Barbados ties", the Ministry of External Affairs said in a post on social media. The award will be bestowed on November 30 in Barbados, it said.
"This high-level engagement provided an opportunity for both leaders to reaffirm and strengthen the India-Barbados relationship while reviewing ongoing cooperation across several key areas, including health & pharma and collaboration at the United Nations", it added.
Prime Minister Modi also met his Bahamas counterpart Philip Davis and had a 'fruitful' discussion focused on strengthening economic ties, climate change action and green partnerships.
"The leaders also exchanged views on the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign", the MEA said in an social media post.
On the sidelines of the India-CARICOM Summit, PM Modi met with Prime Minister Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago.
He welcomed Trinidad and Tobago to the India's flagship UPI platform. "The leaders discussed ways to strengthen relations in areas of digital transformation, health, defence and maritime security, transportation and cultural exchanges", the MEA said in a separate post.
The two leaders also witnessed the exchange of an MoU on setting up Integrated Automatic Fruit and Vegetable Primary Processing Activities in Trinidad and Tobago.
PM Modi also met the President of Suriname Chan Santokhi and the two leaders reviewed progress on the bilateral partnership and emphasised the importance of strengthening economic cooperation.
"They agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in areas including defence and security, trade & commerce, agriculture, digital initiatives including UPI, ICT, healthcare, traditional medicine and pharmaceuticals, capacity building, human resource development, cultural and people-to-people engagements", said the MEA.
The PM also greeted Roosevelt Skerrit, his counterpart in Dominica, and thanked him for the country's highest award.
The top award of Dominica was conferred upon PM Modi for his role in the Caribbean nation during the COVID-19 pandemic and for enhancing the bilateral partnership.
"The leaders discussed opportunities in cooperation in areas such as climate resilience, health, capacity building, and deepening people-to-people ties. They also discussed cooperation at the United Nations", said the MEA.
PM Modi met with the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, separately.
PM congratulated PM Browne for successfully hosting the 4th SIDS conference. PM Browne appreciated the seven pillar CARICOM plan put forth by PM at the Summit. The leaders exchanged views on issues of trade & investment, capacity building for SIDS, and climate change action. PM Browne announced support for India's permanent membership of the UN Security Council, it said in a post on social media.
The Prime Minister also met the Prime Minister of St Lucia Philip J Pierre on sidelines of the Summit.
"Both sides exchanged views on cooperation in the fields of capacity building, education, health, cricket, and yoga and stressed the need to further reinforce India-St Lucia bilateral relations", the MEA said.
In a speech at the India-CARICOM Summit, the prime minister proposed seven key pillars to strengthen ties between India and the Caribbean Community, asserting that New Delhi is committed to taking these relations to new heights.
