Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Dominican counterpart Roosevelt Skerrit on the sidelines of the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit in Guyana last night. Mr Modi thanked him for the conferment of Dominica’s highest award. The leaders explored opportunities for India-Dominica cooperation in areas such as climate resilience, healthcare, capacity building and deepening of people-to-people ties. They also discussed cooperation at the United Nations.
Later in a social media post, Mr Modi said that India will keep working closely with Dominica in the times to come.
Mr Modi also met President of Suriname Chandrikapersad Chan Santokhi on the sidelines of the India-CARICOM Summit. Both leaders reviewed progress on India-Suriname partnership and emphasized the importance of strengthening economic cooperation. They agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in areas including defense and security, trade and commerce, agriculture, digital initiatives including UPI, ICT, healthcare, traditional medicine and pharmaceuticals, capacity building, human resource development, cultural and people to people engagements.
The Prime Minister said that they discussed ways to further improve cultural and people to people ties between both the nation. He said, India will keep supporting various development related initiatives in Suriname.
Mr Modi also met Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Dr Keith Rowley on the sidelines of 2nd India-CARICOM Summit in Guyana. Mr Modi congratulated Dr. Rowley for adopting India’s flagship UPI platform. The leaders discussed ways to strengthen India – Trinidad and Tobago relations in areas of digital transformation, health, defence and maritime security, transportation and cultural exchanges. The Prime Ministers witnessed exchange of an MoU on setting up of Integrated Automatic Fruit and Vegetable Primary Processing Activities in Trinidad and Tobago.
Mr Modi said that the meeting with Prime Minister Rowley was fruitful and the exchange of MoUs in agro and food processing is a welcome step.
During the meeting of Mr Modi and his counterpart from the Bahamas Philip Brave Davis, the discussion focused on strengthening economic ties, climate change action and green partnership. The leaders also exchanged views on the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.
Mr Modi said, he had a very good meeting with his counter of Bahamas, Philip Brave Davis. He said that both sides reviewed the full range of bilateral ties between both countries including trade, culture and climate change.
Mr Modi and his counterpart from Barbados Mia Amor Mottley reaffirmed to strengthen the India-Barbados relationship, while reviewing ongoing cooperation across several key areas, including health and pharma and collaboration at the United Nations. 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, recognizing his leadership in assisting Barbados during the Covid 19 pandemic and commitment to India-Barbados ties. The award will be bestowed on 30th of this month in Barbados.
Later in a post on his social media account, the Prime Minister said that he had a very good meeting with Prime Minister Mottley. He also thanked the Government and people of Barbados for conferring the Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados Award to him. Mr Modi dedicated the honour to the people of India.
The Prime Minister also met his Grenadian counterpart Dickon Mitchell on the sidelines of the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown. Mr Modi congratulated Mr Mitchell for successfully conducting the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit. Discussions were held on development cooperation in the areas of education, ICT, healthcare, food security, cricket, capacity building, and sustainable development.
Mr Modi said that both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in different sectors. He also appreciated Prime Minister Mitchell’s efforts in hosting the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit.
During the meeting of Mr Modi and Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne views were exchanged on issues of trade and investment, capacity building for Small Island Developing States SIDS and climate change action. Mr Browne announced support for India’s permanent membership of the UN Secuity Council. Mr Modi congratulated Mr Browne for successfully hosting the 4th SIDS conference. Mr Browne appreciated the 7 pillar CARICOM plan put forth by Mr Modi at the Summit.
Mr Modi expressed happiness over having a very good meeting with Prime Minister Browne. He said that both sides have immense potential to further boost bilateral relations in mutiple sectors. The Prime Minister also thanked him for Antigua and Barbuda’s support to International Solar Alliance and CDRI.
Mr Modi also met his counterpart from St. Lucia Philip J Pierre. 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. Mr Pierre thanked Mr Modi for the 7 point CARICOM plan.