The India-CARICOM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) was held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Wednesday, with discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between India and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Cooperation Melvin W. J. Bouva co-chaired the meeting.
The meeting followed the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leaders of CARICOM countries in Guyana in November 2024.
Wide Participation from CARICOM Countries
The meeting was attended by the Foreign Ministers of Barbados, Dominica, the Bahamas, Guyana, Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Haiti, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua and Barbuda. The Finance Minister of Grenada, the CEO of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belize, and CARICOM Secretary General Dr. Carla Natalie Barnett also participated in the meeting.
Focus on Trade, Investment and Development Cooperation
During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction with the steady progress in cooperation between India and CARICOM countries.
The discussions covered ways to deepen political engagement and increase trade and investment. The two sides also discussed cooperation in key areas including agriculture and food security, digital governance, climate resilience and energy cooperation.
CARICOM leaders warmly acknowledged India’s development partnership in the region and the impetus provided by India towards strengthening South-South cooperation.
India-CARICOM Cooperation in International Forums
The two sides also discussed mutual cooperation in international forums and agreed to continue working together on global issues.
Key areas identified for continued cooperation included United Nations reforms, combating climate change, counter-terrorism and transnational crimes.
CARICOM Supports India’s UNSC Candidature for 2028-29
During the meeting, the CARICOM co-chair conveyed the group’s decision to support India’s candidature for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) term 2028-29.
EAM Jaishankar thanked the CARICOM countries for their trust and support and assured them that India will be a strong voice of the Global South.
The India-CARICOM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting underscored the commitment of both sides to further deepen their relationship across bilateral, regional and global areas, while expanding cooperation on shared development priorities and international challenges.
