PRESIDENT VISIT OF TWO CARIBBEAN NATIONS

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Context

President Ram Nath Kovind is on a state visit to Jamaica and Vincent & Grenadines. This is the first-ever visit of the Indian President to these Caribbean nations. The visit to these countries is a continuation of India’s high-level engagement in the Caribbean region.
The President, who is on a historic visit to the Caribbean Island nation of Jamaica will also inaugurate a street named after Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and a garden dedicated to India-Jamaica friendship.

India-Jamaica relations

India and Jamaica have traditionally enjoyed cordial and friendly relations based on common linkages of history, Parliamentary democracy, membership in the Commonwealth, the English language and the love of cricket.
Both India and Jamaica are members of NAM, G-77, G-15, WTO, WIPO, UN and its various subsidiary bodies.
Both being developing countries, share similar concerns and common aspirations for their accelerated economic growth, eradication of poverty, improvement in the quality of life of their people, and promotion of equity.
Both also have shared stakes in shaping the emerging architecture of various multilateral institutions to address the existing inequities, and for addressing major contemporary issues related to energy security, food security, climate change, and international terrorism, among others.
Both have common interests in the promotion of South-South Cooperation and synergizing efforts towards the common objective of securing a better deal for the developing world in the relevant multilateral fora to promote the development imperatives of the South without impacting their policy space.

India-Saint Vincent and the Grenadines relations

India and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) enjoy close and cordial relations at many international fora.
India handed over a cash donation of US$500,000/- towards assistance in recovery and rehabilitation following flash floods in December 2013.
Earlier, in December 2010, India had made a cash donation of US$500,000/- towards recovery and rehabilitation following Hurricane Tomas.
SVG and India actively cooperate on various multilateral fora. SVG has been supporting India’s candidature on various multilateral platforms including elections of different bodies under the UN, including the recently held ICJ elections.
There are about 3000 persons of Indian origin who came to SVG in the 19^th century as indentured labourers. Most of them have now got assimilated into the mainstream local society and they have set up a Saint Vincent and Grenadines Indian Heritage Foundation.
Due to the efforts of the Foundation, 01st June has been declared as Indian Arrival Day in Saint Vincent whereas 7th October has been declared as Indian Heritage Day.