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The Prime Minister attended the second India-Caribbean Community (CARICOM) summit in Georgetown, Guyana.

Highlights of the PM’s Visit

The Prime Minister of India met with Caribbean leaders during the second India-Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Summit in Georgetown, Guyana.

Key bilateral meetings	Details
Guyana	The Prime Minister's visit to Guyana was significant because it marked the first visit by an Indian PM in over 50 years. The Indian PM and Guyana President discussed measures to strengthen bilateral development cooperation in areas such as skill development, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, education, and energy.
Barbados	The Prime Minister of Barbados announced the Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados Award for the Indian PM in recognition of his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and commitment to strengthening India-Barbados relations.
Bahamas	Leaders prioritize economic cooperation, climate action, and green partnerships. They also discussed the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign.
Trinidad and Tobago	A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed for the establishment of Integrated Automatic Fruit and Vegetable Primary Processing Activities in Trinidad and Tobago.
Suriname	Leaders discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in areas like defense, trade, agriculture, digital initiatives, healthcare, traditional medicine, and cultural exchange.

About CARICOM

CARICOM (Caribbean Community and Common Market) was founded in 1973 with the Treaty of Chaguaramas in Trinidad and Tobago.

It has 15 member countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Some territories have Associate Member status in CARICOM, including Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos Islands.

Its main objectives include promoting economic integration and cooperation among its members, ensuring equitable benefits, and coordinating foreign policy.

The Secretariat is based in Georgetown, Guyana.

It has been granted official observer status at the United Nations General Assembly.

India-CARICOM Relations

India established bilateral ties with individual Caribbean countries before joining CARICOM.

A CARICOM delegation visited India in 2003, which resulted in the formation of the Standing Joint Commission for Consultation, Cooperation, and Coordination.

The India-CARICOM Joint Commission held its first meeting in Guyana in 2015 to strengthen cooperation in areas such as trade, capacity building, and regional integration.

During the 3rd India-CARICOM Ministerial Meeting in 2017, India committed $200,000 in emergency aid to CARICOM countries affected by hurricanes and offered $2 million from the India-UN Partnership Fund for rehabilitation projects.

The first India-CARICOM Summit was organized in 2019 in New York.

Highlights of the second India-CARICOM Summit in Guyana

The Prime Minister proposed seven key pillars to strengthen ties between India and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The seven key pillars form the acronym C-A-R-I-C-O-M, which stands for:

Capacity Building
Agriculture and Food Security
Renewable Energy and Climate Change
Innovation and Technology
Cricket and Culture
Ocean Economy
Medicine and Healthcare

India to share its agricultural technology advancements, such as drone deployment, and promote millet cultivation to help CARICOM countries to improve their nutrition.

India invited CARICOM nations to participate in initiatives such as:

The International Solar Alliance
The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
Mission Life for Sustainable Lifestyles
The Global Biofuel Alliance

Way Forward

India aims to strengthen ties with CARICOM, which aligns with its strategy of deepening relationships with countries in the global south. It provides opportunities to India for promoting regional development, democratic values, and collaboration on global issues such as climate change, renewable energy, trade, and disaster management, and increasing its influence in the Caribbean region.

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Source:

NDTV

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Which of the following countries are the members of CARICOM?

1. Bahamas

2. Barbados

3. Jamaica

4. Guyana

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

A) 1, 2 and 3 only

B) 2, 3 and 4 only

C) 1, 3 and 4 only

D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: D

Explanation:

CARICOM consists of 15 Member Countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Jamaica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Monserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago).