“CARICOM and India share a longstanding history and deep-rooted partnership, through diplomatic relations forged at the bilateral level and further consolidated between CARICOM and India for over three decades. This longstanding friendship has been marked by several high-level political interactions, including the Inaugural CARICOM-India Summit in 2019 and a robust framework of technical cooperation. CARICOM and India also share fundamental values of democracy, peace, and sustainable development.”- Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary-General, Caribbean Community
- Honourable Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India;
- Honourable Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada and Chair of the Conference of the Caribbean Community;
- Other Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community;
- Heads of Delegation;
- Officials of CARICOM and India;
- Distinguished Guests;
- Ladies and Gentlemen;
I am pleased to welcome you to this Second CARICOM-India Summit being held here in Georgetown, Guyana, the Headquarters of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat. I am especially pleased to welcome the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Honourable Shri Narendra Modi, and his delegation for this historic occasion.
CARICOM and India share a longstanding history and deep-rooted partnership, through diplomatic relations forged at the bilateral level and further consolidated between CARICOM and India for over three decades. This longstanding friendship has been marked by several high-level political interactions, including the Inaugural CARICOM-India Summit in 2019 and a robust framework of technical cooperation. CARICOM and India also share fundamental values of democracy, peace, and sustainable development.
India’s collaboration with CARICOM has led to substantial contributions in critical areas, such as human resource development, healthcare, renewable energy, information and communications technology, and the blue economy. This includes support to operationalise some systems of the CARICOM Secretariat, including provision of information technology, for which I express our sincere appreciation.
As our countries continue to navigate the complexities of sustainable development, South-South partnerships, such as ours, are imperative to foster innovative solutions. The Community therefore commends and thanks India for its strong advocacy on issues that are important to our Region, and India’s Presidency of the G20 in 2023 was testament to this commitment, with reform of the global financial architecture as a priority.
Such advocacy in the international arena is critical, particularly where we as small states do not have a loud enough voice
Excellencies, as CARICOM and India reaffirm steadfast commitment to a vibrant and active relationship through the outcomes from this second Summit, the Secretariat stands ready to ensure that the collaboration continues to flourish in the years to come.
I thank you.
