New Delhi/Georgetown (Guyana): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is visiting Guyana, co-chaired the Fourth India-CARICOM Ministerial Meeting in Georgetown on wide-ranging cooperation between India and the Caribbean Community in the fields of trade and economy, agriculture and food security among other issues. He also held bilateral meetings with several of the Caricom Foreign Ministers.
In tweets, the EAM said that he co-chaired the Fourth India-Caricom ministerial meeting with Foreign Minister Kamina J Smith of Jamaica.
“Co-chaired 4th India-CARICOM Ministerial Meeting with FM @kaminajsmith of Jamaica at @CARICOMorg HQ.
“Thank FM Hugh Todd of Guyana for inviting us all.
“Appreciate perspectives of FMs Albert Ramdin (Suriname), Denzil Douglas (St Kitts and Nevis), Alva Baptiste (St Lucia), Keisal Peters (St Vincent & Grenadines), Kerrie Symmonds (Barbados), Amery Browne (Trinidad & Tobago), Vince Henderson (Dominica), Joseph Andall (Grenada) & representatives from Belize and Bahamas.
“Discussed our wide-ranging sectoral cooperation, including in Trade & Economy; Agriculture & Food Security; Health & Pharma; Energy & Renewables; Infrastructure, ICT & eGovernance; Development Partnership & Capacity Building; Higher Education; Culture and P2P domains.
“Also exchanged views on vital issues of Climate Change & Disaster Resilience; Counter Terrorism; Reformed Multilateralism and closer cooperation at multilateral forums.
“Agreed on follow-up steps, including holding the second Joint Commission Meeting this year.”
On his bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers, he tweeted:
“Glad to meet FM of St. Vincent and Grenadines Keisal Peters today.
Appreciated SVG’s interest in Millets. Also discussed our ongoing projects and further expanding of cooperation.”
On his meeting with his counterpart from Trinidad and Tobago.
“Good to meet Dr. Amery Browne, Foreign Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.
“Spoke on taking forward our development partnership focusing on digital transformation and health domains.
“Will continue our cooperation at multilateral forums.”
On his bilateral with his Jamaican counterpart, he said:
“Great to meet FM @kaminajsmith of Jamaica. Complimented her for effectively co-chairing the India-CARICOM meeting earlier today.
“Discussed taking forward cooperation in training & development partnership. Agreed on importance of business to business exchanges for stronger ties.”
He also met the Barbados FM:
“Glad to meet with Barbados Foreign Minister Kerrie Symmonds.
“Exchanged views on working together in domains of renewable energy, health and skills.”
On his meeting with his Grenada counterpart, he said:
“Happy to meet FM Joseph Andall of Grenada.
“Discussed advancing our development partnership. Also reaffirmed our belief in Reformed Multilateralism.”
He met the Bahamas parliamentary secretary, who has studied in India.
“Appreciate meeting Bahamas Parliamentary Secretary Jamahl Strachen, an Indian alumnus.
“Discussed ISA, CDRI, training and UNSC reform.”
“So nice to meet Foreign Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas of St. Kitts and Nevis on sidelines of India-CARICOM meeting.
Noted our resonance in agriculture and digital domains. Conveyed that India will always voice the concerns of the Global South.”
