Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his historic visit to Guyana for the second India-CARICOM Summit, proposed seven pillars to strengthen India-CARICOM ties and received Dominica’s and Guyana highest honour.

Key Seven Pillars of India-CARICOM Relations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined seven key pillars to deepen ties between India and CARICOM nations, aligning with the acronym C-A-R-I-C-O-M:

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• Capacity Building: Proposal to establish a forensic centre for the CARICOM region.
  • Suggestion to create a portal similar to India’s iGOT Karmayogi for continuous training of civil servants in areas like technology, administration, law, and education.
• Agriculture and Food Security: Emphasis on collaboration to improve agricultural practices and ensure food security in CARICOM nations.
• Renewable Energy and Climate Change: Focus on renewable energy projects and climate change mitigation.
  • $150 million credit line announced earlier for renewable energy initiatives.
• Innovation, Technology, and Trade: Strengthening technological collaboration and trade relationships.
  • Proposal for an online portal to connect private sectors and stakeholders.
  • $1 million grant for SME development announced in 2019, with an emphasis on implementation.
• Cricket and Culture: Promotion of cricket as a shared cultural passion and a bridge for people-to-people ties.
  • Preservation and sharing of cultural heritage between India and CARICOM.
• Ocean Economy: Harnessing the potential of blue economy sectors for sustainable development.
• Medicine and Healthcare: Strengthening healthcare systems and addressing public health challenges.

Key Proposals by PM Modi

• Online Portal: Suggested creation of a portal to connect the private sector and stakeholders of India and CARICOM nations.
• Support for SMEs: $1 million grant announced in 2019 to boost small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region.
• Economic Cooperation:Commitment to renewable energy, climate change, and economic growth.
  • $150 million credit line for renewable energy initiatives announced earlier in 2019.
• Vision for Collaboration: PM Modi emphasised promoting the “five Ts” trade, technology, tourism, talent, and tradition as key pillars for enhancing India-CARICOM ties, ensuring mutual growth, and addressing shared global challenges.

About Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

• Founded: 1973, by the Treaty of Chaguaramas as the Caribbean Community and Common Market.
• Secretariat: Located in Georgetown, Guyana.
• Chairmanship: Rotates every six months among Heads of Member States.
  • Current Chair: Antigua and Barbuda.
• Objectives of CARICOM
  • Economic Integration: Promote economic cooperation and integration among member states.
  • Equitable Benefits: Ensure the benefits of integration are shared fairly.
  • Foreign Policy Coordination: Harmonise the foreign policies of the region.
• Members (15): Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.
• Observers and Associate Members
  • Observer States: Aruba, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela.
  • Associate Members: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands.
• Global Status: Recognized as an Official United Nations Observer.

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Significance of India-CARICOM Partnership

• Strategic Significance:
  • Global South Alliance: Strengthens India’s position in the Global South.
  • Diplomatic Leverage: Provides additional platforms for international cooperation.
• Climate Action and Sustainability:
  • Shared Concerns: Both regions face threats from climate change, particularly small island nations.
  • India’s Leadership: India’s role in the International Solar Alliance and CDRI offers solutions.
  • Financial Support: India’s $140 million line of credit for renewable energy projects.
• Economic Cooperation:
  • Trade and Investment: Opportunities for Indian businesses in IT, renewable energy, healthcare, and medical tourism.
  • Capacity Building: India’s expertise in digital healthcare and renewable energy can benefit CARICOM.
• Cultural Ties and Diaspora:
  • Shared Heritage: Indian diaspora in the Caribbean strengthens people-to-people connections.
  • Cultural Exchange: Fosters understanding and cooperation between the two regions.