Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Suriname during the second leg of his three-nation tour. He was warmly welcomed by Suriname’s Foreign Minister, Melvin Bouva. Jaishankar expressed his gratitude for the reception and anticipated fruitful discussions during his visit.
During his stay, Jaishankar is scheduled to engage in bilateral talks with Suriname’s leadership to enhance cooperation between the two nations. Following his visit to Suriname, the Minister will proceed to Trinidad and Tobago after concluding his discussions.
India, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago share a historical connection through the presence of Girmitiya communities. These communities originated from Indian indentured laborers who migrated to British colonies in the 19th century. The term ‘Girmit’ is derived from ‘agreement,’ symbolizing the contract under which they relocated.
India has pledged to provide aid to Jamaica in the form of 30 dialysis units, 40 fishing boats with engines, 200 GPS devices, and associated equipment. This assistance aims to support Jamaica’s recovery efforts following the impact of Hurricane Melissa last year. Jaishankar personally delivered 10 BHISHM emergency medical units during his visit to Jamaica, marking a significant gesture of support.
The visit to Jamaica also witnessed the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between India and Jamaica. These agreements focus on health cooperation, solarization initiatives, and broadcasting enhancements. Both countries reviewed the progress of existing agreements in digital transformation, culture, sports, and digital payments, emphasizing the need for tangible outcomes.
Discussions between India and Jamaica encompassed the expansion of collaboration in key sectors such as healthcare, infrastructure, digitalization, agriculture, education, tourism, and capacity building. India reaffirmed its commitment by increasing ITEC training slots, particularly in defense training, from six to 34 slots. The dialogue also highlighted capacity building initiatives through ICCR scholarships and digital learning platforms like E-Vidyabharati and iGOT Karmyogi.
India expressed gratitude for Jamaica’s endorsement of its candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for the term 2028–29. Both nations condemned terrorism in all its forms and stressed the importance of promptly finalizing the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).
During his visit, Jaishankar announced a contribution of JMD two million towards the celebration of India Arrival Day on May 10. He engaged with the local business community, interacted with the Indian diaspora, and participated in a public discussion at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus.
