Modi Proposes Seven “Key Pillars” to Strengthen India-CARICOM Ties at Landmark Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outlined seven key pillars to fortify relations between India and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), as he co-chaired the second India-CARICOM Summit in Guyana on Wednesday. This summit marks the first visit by an Indian head of state to the country in over five decades.

The proposed pillars, encapsulated in the acronym C-A-R-I-C-O-M, focus on capacity building, agriculture, renewable energy, innovation, culture, ocean economy, and healthcare. Modi emphasized India’s commitment to uplifting ties based on shared history, needs, and future aspirations, with a strong focus on the priorities of the Global South.

In his address, Modi highlighted the importance of a digital portal to connect private sectors across both regions and reiterated India’s support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in CARICOM countries, following a previously announced $1 million grant. He also proposed the establishment of a forensic center for the region and an India-CARICOM civil service portal, inspired by India’s iGOT Karmayogi platform.

Leaders at the summit discussed further collaboration in key sectors like agriculture, technology, and pharmaceuticals, while also stressing the need for reforms in global institutions. Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali lauded India’s role in supporting the region, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and praised India’s leadership at the G20 summit.

The CARICOM, a regional organization with 21 members, has a combined population of around 16 million, with over 3,20,000 people of Indian origin in Guyana alone.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *