India’s $ 14 million contribution to CARICOM is a step to make a better planet- Modi
The Prime Minister of India – Narendra Modi has announced a U.S. $ 14 million grant for community development to Member States of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) on Wednesday, September 25, 2019.
In addition, PM Modi has also announced to provide U.S. $ 150 million Line of Credit for promoting green energy in the region. The announcement was made during the first ever India-CARICOM Summit, hosted by PM Modi on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Prime Minister of St. Lucia and the Chairman of CARICOM – Allen Chastenet.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is a grouping of 20 countries (15 Member States and 5 Associate Members), whose primary objective is to promote economic integration and cooperation among its members and to ensure that the benefits of integration are equitably shared. The organisation was established in 1973. The secretariat headquarters is in Georgetown, Guyana.
The Member States include Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago. The Associate Members are Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and Turks & Caicos Islands.
Welcoming the State Heads, Modi said, “I welcome your gesture to attend this meeting. My country is fighting against some of today’s pressing problems like climate change and poverty.”
He also said, “Today’s meeting focuses on India’s participation with the CARICOM nations in energising our today’s requirements and future expectations in areas of mutual cooperation. I hope every one of us will pour in important suggestions from their side today.”
In addition, Modi also announced setting up of the Regional Centre for Excellence in Information Technology in Guyana’s Georgetown and the Regional Vocational Training Centre in Belize by upgrading the existing India-funded centres in these 2 countries.
Taking to twitter, Modi tweeted, “The India-Caricom Leaders’ Meeting held in New York was an important occasion for us. I thank the esteemed world leaders who joined the meeting. India is eager to work with our friends in the Caribbean to build a better planet.”
The India-Caricom Leaders' Meeting held in New York was an important occasion for us. I thank the esteemed world leaders who joined the meeting. India is eager to work with our friends in the Caribbean to build a better planet. pic.twitter.com/Qvrc1EJwS1
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 26, 2019
The Summit highlighted the progressing relations between India and partner countries of the Caribbean, both bilaterally as well as regionally. During the Summit, India reaffirmed its commitment of strengthening its political, economic and cultural engagement with CARICOM. The leaders also talked about increasing trade and investment between India and CARICOM. A Joint Task Force will also be formed which will look into the possible areas of cooperation and identify the way forward.
Modi has asked the CARICOM countries to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), which he had announced during his address to the United Nations (U.N.) Climate Action Summit.
Besides, the Indian PM also offered his condolences on the massive destruction caused by Hurricane Dorian in the region, which worst hit the island of Bahamas. India has extended an immediate financial relief of U.S. 1 million for helping the affected nations to cope up with the natural disaster.
Modi has also invited the Parliamentary Delegation from CARICOM to visit India.
