INDIA CARICOM SUMMIT
- PM Modi attended the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown on November 20, 2024, alongside leaders from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
- The summit focused on strengthening ties between India and the Caribbean nations across several key areas.
WHAT IS CARICOM?
- The Caribbean Community (CARICOM), formed in 1973, is an important regional organization consisting of 21 countries.
- This includes 15 member states and 6 associate members, stretching from the Bahamas in the north to Guyana and Suriname in South America.
- CARICOM represents a diverse population of approximately 16 million people, with a significant portion (60%) of the population under the age of 30.
Key Objectives of CARICOM:
- Economic Integration
- Foreign Policy Coordination
- Human and Social Development
- Security
MEMBERS OF CARICOM
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has 15 member states and five associate members:
Member states
Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago
Associate members
Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands
INDIA’S ENGAGEMENT WITH CARICOM
- India’s relationship with CARICOM is crucial to its Global South Strategy. Strengthening ties with developing nations, particularly in the Caribbean, is a cornerstone of India’s foreign policy.
- CARICOM’s members, many of whom are also part of the Commonwealth of Nations, offer India a wider platform for global cooperation.
- Shared concerns over issues like climate change, disaster management, and trade form the basis of the India-CARICOM partnership.
CARICOM: ANOTHER MEANING IN THIS SUMMIT
The summit’s discussions were built around the 7 Pillars of India-CARICOM Relations (Acronym: C-A-R-I-C-O-M), which include:
- C – Capacity Building: India will offer 1,000 IT scholarships for CARICOM nations and expand its technology centre in Belize for all CARICOM members.
- A – Agriculture and Food Security: India will share its agricultural technologies, such as the use of drones, and promote millet cultivation to enhance nutrition in CARICOM countries.
- R – Renewable Energy and Climate Change: India invited CARICOM nations to join the International Solar Alliance and pledged support in climate change mitigation, including a $150 million credit line for renewable energy initiatives.
- I – Innovation and Technology: India will share innovations like the UPI and digital payment infrastructure to enhance CARICOM’s technological landscape.
- C – Cricket and Culture: PM Modi proposed offering 11 scholarships per CARICOM country for women’s cricket coaching to promote empowerment.
- O – Ocean Economy: India will assist CARICOM nations in exploring marine resources, regional connectivity, and maritime security.
- M – Medicine and Healthcare: India reaffirmed its commitment to affordable healthcare through its Janaushadhi scheme and continued support in the pharmaceutical sector, including COVID-19 vaccine assistance.
THE GLOBAL SOUTH STRATEGY & INDIA’S ROLE
India’s outreach to CARICOM nations reflects its broader aim to build stronger alliances within the Global South. As a prominent member of this bloc, India seeks to foster mutual development, address shared challenges like climate change, and enhance its influence in global forums such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Strengthening ties with CARICOM is an essential part of this strategy
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