Second India-CARICOM Summit
Context
Recently, the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit took place in Georgetown, Guyana, which was co-chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CARICOM Chair, Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell.
- Leaders from 13 CARICOM member states and representatives gathered to strengthen ties, with discussions focusing on development cooperation, capacity building, climate change, and people-to-people connections.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Government policies and interventions)
Key Highlights:
- Seven Key Areas of Collaboration:
- Capacity Building: India will provide 1,000 ITEC slots to CARICOM countries over the next five years for training and skill development.
- A: Agriculture & Food Security: Sharing advanced agricultural technology and converting seaweed into fertiliser to enhance food security in the region.
- R: Renewable Energy & Climate Change—Encouraging CARICOM nations to join India-led global initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and Mission LIFE.
- Innovation, Technology & Trade: Offering India’s UPI and DigiLocker systems to improve public service delivery and boost trade and technological innovation.
- C: Cricket & Culture: Training for women cricketers from CARICOM nations and organising cultural exchange programs to strengthen people-to-people ties.
- O:Ocean Economy & Maritime Security: Assisting CARICOM nations with maritime domain mapping and hydrography to support sustainable ocean economy and security.
- M: Medicine & Healthcare: Promoting affordable healthcare through India’s Jan Aushadhi model and fostering wellness via yoga and other health initiatives.
- Support for the Global South: India reaffirmed its commitment to addressing climate justice and advocating for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) while pushing for global institutional reforms.
- Future Engagement: CARICOM leaders welcomed India’s leadership in the Global South. The next India-CARICOM Summit will be hosted in India.
About CARICOM
- Formation: Established in 1973 through the Treaty of Chaguaramas, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) comprises 15 member states and 5 associate members.
- Purpose: It promotes economic integration, climate action, and sustainable development among Caribbean nations.
- Key Concerns: CARICOM focuses on the vulnerabilities of small island nations, particularly in the context of climate change, disaster resilience, and economic growth.
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