India-Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Summit: A Historic Event
The Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat has announced that at least 14 Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders are expected to attend the second India-Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Summit on Wednesday.
The Summit
India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, who is due to arrive here from Brazil, where he is attending the G20 Summit, will co-chair the one-day conference. It will also be addressed by CARICOM Chairman and Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, the host head of state, President Dr Irfan Ali, and the CARICOM Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett.
Background
While CARICOM has not publicly indicated who the regional leader not expected to be present physically is, the CARICOM Secretariat described the summit as "historic," saying it will be the "first stand-alone Meeting between the Heads of Government of the two sides to be convened in a CARICOM member state."
Objectives
The engagement is expected to strengthen an already strong relationship in economic cooperation, agriculture and food security, health and pharmaceuticals, and science and innovations.
Previous Meetings
CARICOM leaders and India’s Prime Minister last met in 2019 on the margins of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where they discussed cooperation modalities in renewable energy and climate change through a US$150 million credit line from India.
CARICOM-India Relations
"India is an important global actor. Our Member States are keen to meet Prime Minister Modi and develop deeper technical relationships, deepen the relationship in advocacy for small states in the international arena, and strengthen people-to-people ties," said the CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General for Foreign and Community Relations, Elizabeth Solomon.
CARICOM-India Joint Commission
The first meeting of the CARICOM-India Joint Commission, held in June 2015, identified areas of cooperation as agribusiness development, food security, health, small business development, marine development, fisheries, and disaster management.
Conclusion
The India-Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Summit is a significant event that will strengthen the relationship between the two sides, focusing on economic cooperation, agriculture and food security, health and pharmaceuticals, and science and innovations. The summit is expected to be a historic event, marking the first stand-alone meeting between the Heads of Government of the two sides to be convened in a CARICOM member state.
FAQs
- Who are the CARICOM leaders expected to attend the summit?
At least 14 Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders are expected to attend the summit. - Who is co-chairing the summit?
India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and CARICOM Chairman and Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell will co-chair the summit. - What are the key areas of cooperation?
Economic cooperation, agriculture and food security, health and pharmaceuticals, and science and innovations.
About The Author
