(CARICOM Secretariat, Georgetown, Guyana) Relations between Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries and India are poised to deepen with new projects planned in the areas of health, disaster management, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) among other technical and economic spheres of cooperation.
A CARICOM/India Joint Commission has being established to determine the exact scope and nature of the projects being contemplated in the cooperation between the two sides. The Joint Commission was agreed on during talks on Tuesday, 15 February, between CARICOM Foreign Ministers and a delegation from India led by Minister of State for External Relations, H.E. Rao Inderjit Singh. The meeting was held in Paramaribo Suriname, the venue for the 16th Inter-Sessional Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government.
Chairman of CARICOM's Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), Dame Billie Miller, Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Barbados, described the interaction as “forward looking and useful.” Minister Miller told the media at a press conference Tuesday that among the areas initially agreed on was assistance to the Region in the form of providing antiretroviral drugs for persons living with HIV/AIDS.
CARICOM/India cooperation will also extend to the Region's disaster response programme, through networking with India's space programme that has been developed by that country for disaster mitigation utilizing early warning systems. Pointing out that India has made significant advances in science and technology, Minister Miller said collaboration in this area could strengthen the Region's response to natural disasters, which is a matter of great urgency to both CARICOM and India. “India is one of the G20 nations, it is a scientifically and technologically competent country of which we in CARICOM are proud,” she said.
She added that the condolences of the Caribbean Community for the loss of life and destruction as a result of the Tsunami disaster that struck the Asian continent last December were conveyed to the Indian Minister
Culture is also expected to figure prominently in the cooperation between India and CARICOM and already a Caribbean cultural festival led by Suriname is being planned to take place in India. Suriname has responsibility for Culture, Gender and Youth Development in the CARICOM quasi Cabinet.
In his remarks at the press conference, the Indian Minister of State said CARICOM/India relations have been stemmed for years by geographic distance, but this has changed with improved travel. “I am deeply appreciative of the support in the various areas that have been underlined,” stated Minister Singh, adding that India is committed to sharing its technical expertise with the Region in areas of need identified by the Caribbean Community.
Mr. Singh said already, the CARICOM Secretariat is the beneficiary of a multi-million dollar programme of assistance from India, for the enhancement of the Secretariat's information technology capacity, and comes as “a larger part of India's solidarity and support for less developed countries.”
To date, India has extended to CARICOM Member States substantial lines of credit the Indian Government official said. In addition, hundreds of CARICOM nationals have benefited from scholarships offered by India annually under its International Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. Plans, it was disclosed, are in train for the Region to receive more scholarships when the Joint Commission sets out areas of cooperation.
Meanwhile, responding to a media query whether CARICOM supports India's bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, The CARICOM COFCOR Chairman wished India well in its endeavour and noted that it was important for the voice and interests of the small states to be represented on the Security Council. She pointed out that the matter would be considered by CARICOM Heads of Government.
