India and CARICOM Forge Stronger Ties: A New Era of Cooperation in the Caribbean

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Guyana from November 20-22, 2024, for the second India-CARICOM Summit strengthens cooperation in agriculture, technology, renewable energy, and trade.

New Delhi: In a landmark visit that underscores India’s commitment to enhancing its relationships with Caribbean nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Guyana from November 20 to 22, 2024, as part of the second India-CARICOM (Caribbean Community) Summit held in Georgetown, Guyana, on November 22, 2024. The summit’s theme, “Sustainable Development through Cooperation and Innovation,” offered a platform for discussing and advancing collaboration across key sectors such as agriculture, technology, renewable energy, trade, and education. This visit was the first by an Indian head of state to Guyana in more than five decades and marked a significant step toward strengthening ties between India and the Caribbean region.

Historic Engagement with Caribbean Leaders

Prime Minister Modi’s visit was a significant milestone in India’s growing diplomatic relations with the Caribbean region. During his visit, he held high-level meetings with key Caribbean leaders, including Presidents Chan Santokhi of Suriname, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali of Guyana, and Prime Ministers from Saint Lucia, Antigua & Barbuda, Grenada, The Bahamas, Barbados, and Trinidad & Tobago.

On November 21, 2024, Prime Minister Modi met with President Dr. Irfaan Ali of Guyana, where he expressed his deep appreciation for the strong and growing bilateral relationship between India and Guyana. The two leaders discussed mutual cooperation on issues such as infrastructure, shipping, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture, underscoring India’s role as a trusted partner in Guyana’s development journey. Prime Minister Modi also applauded Guyana’s support for India’s global initiatives, including the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).

On the same day, Modi held talks with President Santokhi of Suriname, exploring areas of cooperation in technology, agriculture, and energy. The discussions centered around advancing digital initiatives and expanding India-Suriname relations through the sharing of India’s expertise in areas such as telemedicine and agro-food processing.

Strengthening Ties with Other Caribbean Nations

The visit also included discussions with leaders from several other Caribbean nations. On November 22, 2024, Prime Minister Modi met with Prime Minister Keith Rowley of Trinidad & Tobago to enhance trade relations, with a particular focus on energy cooperation, science, and education. During the meeting, both leaders witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at boosting agro-food processing in Trinidad and Tobago.

Modi also held discussions with Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados, focusing on healthcare, climate change, agriculture, and innovation. Mottley highlighted the need for institutional reforms and deeper economic collaboration, especially in the pharmaceutical sector. Both leaders discussed the possibility of setting up a Caribbean Bank to bolster regional financial independence.

Seven Pillars for India-CARICOM Cooperation

At the heart of the India-CARICOM summit was Prime Minister Modi’s proposal for a robust framework of cooperation, encapsulated in seven key pillars. These pillars, designed to guide future India-CARICOM relations, are a strategic roadmap for the sustainable development of Caribbean nations. The seven pillars—C-A-R-I-C-O-M—are as follows:

1. Capacity Building: India announced the provision of 1,000 scholarships for Information Technology (IT) training in CARICOM countries, along with the expansion of its technology center in Belize to include other member states.
2. Agriculture and Food Security: India will assist CARICOM nations in adopting agricultural technologies, such as the use of drones for precision farming, and promoting the cultivation of millets to enhance food security.
3. Renewable Energy and Climate Change: Modi invited CARICOM nations to join global initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and Global Biofuels Alliance, aiming to promote sustainable energy solutions and climate change mitigation.
4. Innovation, Technology, and Trade: India pledged to share technological innovations, including the UPI (Unified Payments Interface) system, to boost digital transactions and economic integration within the region.
5. Cricket and Culture: Recognizing the deep cultural ties through cricket, Modi proposed 11 scholarships for women’s cricket coaching in each CARICOM nation to empower women and promote sports.
6. Ocean Economy: India will collaborate with CARICOM countries to explore marine resources, supporting regional maritime security and economic growth through initiatives that harness the ocean economy.
7. Medicine and Healthcare: India will continue to provide affordable healthcare solutions through initiatives like the Janaushadi Scheme, offering low-cost medicines and supporting healthcare infrastructure in the Caribbean.

The CARICOM Context

Formed in 1973. With the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas, CARICOM became the longest-standing integration initiative in the developing world. In 2002, the Treaty was amended to pave the way for the creation of a single market and economy. CARICOM is an intergovernmental organization with 21 countries and territories, including 15 member states and six associate members. These countries, spanning the Caribbean from The Bahamas to Suriname, have a combined population of approximately 16 million people, most of whom are young. CARICOM’s goals include economic integration, foreign policy coordination, human development, and regional security.

For India, strengthening ties with CARICOM is not only a strategic move for trade and development cooperation but also for addressing global challenges such as climate change, economic inequality, and global health crises.

India’s Vision for the Global South

Prime Minister Modi’s visit also emphasized India’s commitment to being a voice for the Global South, a term used to describe the developing nations of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. As the world faces growing climate change impacts, economic disparities, and global security threats, India has positioned itself as a leader in promoting the interests of these nations.

Modi highlighted India’s leadership during its G20 presidency, where issues such as climate action, sustainable development, and global economic cooperation were brought to the forefront. India’s approach, Modi explained, is rooted in the belief that nations must work together to find collective solutions to shared challenges.

A Future of Cooperation

India’s relationship with CARICOM is poised to grow stronger as both sides continue to deepen their cooperation across critical areas. The historic visit to Guyana and the subsequent India-CARICOM summit have laid the foundation for a comprehensive and actionable roadmap to enhance trade, technology, climate action, and cultural exchanges.

India’s emphasis on capacity building, technological innovation, and agricultural collaboration presents a sustainable model for Caribbean nations to pursue economic development while addressing the challenges posed by climate change. The proposed seven pillars for cooperation offer a clear direction for future collaborations, ensuring that both India and CARICOM can tackle shared issues together.

The India-CARICOM partnership also offers a model for collaboration between countries of the Global South, with both regions focusing on mutual development and the promotion of shared prosperity. As India and the Caribbean continue to build on their relationship, their collaborative efforts are set to create new opportunities for trade, technology exchange, and climate resilience—providing a solid foundation for a future of growth and shared success.

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