CARICOM | India-CARICOM Relations

• India-CARICOM Relations reflect a growing partnership based on shared democratic values, mutual development goals, and strong cultural ties.
• PM Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Guyana highlights India’s renewed focus on the Caribbean, emphasising diaspora ties, geopolitical engagement, and Global South relations. PM Modi’s interactions with CARICOM leaders underscore India’s commitment to sustainable development, climate change, and strategic partnerships.

About CARICOM (Caribbean Community)

• CARICOM: Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM)
• CARICOM Members: It consists of 15 member states and several associate members, including Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago.
• Objectives Of CARICOM: The four pillars of CARICOM are economic integration, foreign policy coordination, human and social development, and security.
• Demography: Home to around sixteen million citizens, 60 percent of whom are under the age of 30.
  • They belong to the main ethnic groups of Indigenous Peoples, Africans, Indians, Europeans, Chinese, Portuguese and Javanese.

Source: CARICOM.org

India-CARICOM Bilateral Relations

• India-CARICOM relations have grown significantly since the establishment of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) on July 4, 1973 with the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas.
• In 2003, India recognised the importance of strengthening ties with CARICOM as a bloc, leading to establishing the Standing Joint Commission on Consultation, Cooperation, and Coordination, marking a key milestone in bilateral relations.

Significance of CARICOM for India

• Partnership in Multilateral Forums: CARICOM nations, like Antigua and Barbuda, back India’s bid for permanent membership in the UN Security Council.
• South-South Cooperation: CARICOM countries participated in India’s 3rd Voice of Global South Summit (2024), promoting South-South Cooperation.
• Defence Exports: India’s delivery of two Dornier 228 aircraft to Guyana highlights defence relations.
• Climate Action & Energy Security: Suriname joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA), enhancing climate collaboration. Both regions focus on climate resilience and renewable energy.
• Other Areas of Cooperation:
  • Gateway to Latin America: CARICOM nations offer India access to Latin American markets.
  • Disaster Resilience: Cooperation through initiatives like Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
  • Indian Diaspora: Trinidad and Tobago hosts a vibrant Indian diaspora, strengthening people-to-people ties.

Challenges in India-CARICOM Relations

• Geographical Distance: Delays & high costs, e.g., limited direct flights between India and the Caribbean.
• Economic Disparities: CARICOM’s reliance on tourism, such as Jamaica’s economy, contrasts with India’s diverse industrial base.
• Cultural and Institutional Differences: Different legal frameworks, like the bureaucratic differences between India and small Caribbean nations.
• Climate Change Impact: Caribbean islands face frequent hurricanes; India’s focus is more on drought and flooding in its own regions.
• Diplomatic Competition: CARICOM’s strong ties with the U.S. and China, as seen with Chinese investments in the Caribbean, sometimes overshadow India’s efforts.
• Trade Barriers: High tariffs on Indian pharmaceuticals in some Caribbean nations limit trade potential.

Way Forward

• Improved Connectivity: Establishing direct flights, like the Air India-Suriname route, to enhance travel and trade.
• Targeted Development Cooperation: India’s assistance in disaster management, as seen with the supply of vaccines and medical aid during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Promote People-to-People Ties: Expand scholarships and exchanges, like the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program.
• Institutional Capacity Building: Training Caribbean officials through India’s capacity-building programs in areas like IT and governance.
• Leverage Technology: Collaborating on IT projects like the e-Vidya scheme to improve digital education access in the Caribbean.

India-CARICOM Summit

• PM Narendra Modi and the PM of Grenada, H.E. Mr. Dickon Mitchell, the current CARICOM Chair, chaired the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown, Capital of Guyana, on November 2024.
• PM Narendra Modi proposed seven strategic pillars to further strengthen and elevate the partnership between India and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), aligned with the CARICOM acronym:
  • Capacity Building: Announced 1,000 information technology scholarships and proposed expanding the technology centre India is establishing in Belize to CARICOM members.
  • Agriculture and Food Security: Sharing India’s expertise in agricultural technologies such as drones, digital farming, and soil testing to address food security concerns.
  • Renewable Energy and Climate Change: Promoting collaboration on global initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and Mission LiFE to combat climate change and promote renewable energy.
  • Innovation, Technology, and Trade: Offering India’s successful digital infrastructure models like Digi Locker and UPI to improve public service delivery and foster trade.
  • Cricket and Culture: Training programs for young women cricketers and organising “Days of Indian Culture” to strengthen cultural ties.
  • Ocean Economy and Maritime Security: Collaborating on maritime domain mapping, hydrography, and enhancing the ocean economy in the Caribbean region.
  • Medicine and Healthcare: Sharing India’s affordable healthcare model, including generic medicines and Yoga expertise, to promote health and well-being in CARICOM countries.

As PM Modi stated, “We have a shared future that we want to create.” With the seven-pillar framework, India is poised to drive sustainable development in the Caribbean, reinforcing its role as a global partner for progress and prosperity.

Reference: Indian Express

PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 13

Q. India’s outreach to the Caribbean nations reflects a strategic shift in its foreign policy objectives. Discuss the significance of this partnership, emphasising India’s initiatives and challenges in strengthening ties with CARICOM nations. (250 Words) (15 Marks)

Approach

• Introduction: Briefly mention about India’s outreach to CARICOM.
• Body: Discuss the significance, India’s initiatives and Challenges in India–Caribbean–Relations.
• Conclusion: Write a concise way forward and conclude appropriately.