Carribian connect

Context: PM Narendra Modi’s concluded visit to Guyana, for the
first time in 50 years, and in his summit meeting with the leaders of the
Caribbean leaders point towards Delhi’s focus on a long-neglected region. The
image of “west indies” resonates in the Indian mind thanks to the intense
cricketing connections, so does both countries diasporic links. Between the
early 19^th and 20^th centuries, colonial Britain moved Indian
labour to the Caribbean to farm the sugar plantations. Nearly a million people
of Indian origin live in the Caribbean today and in some states like Guyana,
Trinidad and Suriname, they form a sizable section of the population and
contribute to nation-building.

Key points

·      
Overview: Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed seven key
pillars to strengthen ties between India and ‘CARICOM’ (Caribbean Community). The
PM joined the Caribbean partner countries for the second India-CARICOM Summit
in Guyana.

·      
7 Key
Pillars: 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 - India can share its advancements in agricultural
technology, such as deploying drones, and promote millet cultivation to enhance
nutrition.

Renewable Energy and Climate Change - Invited CARICOM nations to join initiatives such as
International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure,
Mission Life for Sustainable Lifestyles, and the Global Biofuel Alliance.

Innovation and Technology - India’s technological advancements, such as the
“Stack” infrastructure and the Universal Payment Interface (UPI) for digital
payments, can be extended to CARICOM countries.

Cricket and Culture - Proposed using cricket as a tool for women’s empowerment by offering 11
scholarships to each CARICOM nation for women’s cricket coaching.

Ocean Economy - India can assist in developing untapped marine resources, enhancing
regional connectivity, and supporting security initiatives.

Medicine and Healthcare - Offers affordable solutions through its Janaushadi scheme.

·      
CARICOM: Established - It was formed in 1973 with the
signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas. It is the oldest surviving integration
movement in the developing world. The Treaty was later revised in 2002 to allow
for the eventual establishment of a single market and a single economy.

Members -
Caricom is a grouping of 21 countries including 15 member states and six
associate members.

Objectives Of CARICOM - The four pillars of CARICOM are economic integration, foreign policy
coordination, human and social development, and security.

·      
Importance
of CARICOM for India: Enhancing
Ties with Developing Nations - For India, building stronger ties with
CARICOM aligns with its broader strategic objective of enhancing partnerships
with developing countries.

Additional Global Platform for India - The Caribbean nations, many of which are also
Commonwealth members, provide India with additional platforms for cooperation
in international forums, particularly on issues of mutual interest such as
trade, climate change, and disaster management.

Common Concerns - India and CARICOM have common concerns about the effects of climate
change. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and environmental
degradation pose existential threats to many Caribbean nations, making climate
action a priority in their foreign policy agendas.

Indian Diaspora - The Indian diaspora in CARICOM
countries plays a pivotal role in maintaining people-to-people ties between the
two regions.

·      
Conclusion: As CARICOM nations look beyond their traditional
alliances with North America and Europe, India emerges as a valuable partner
for their pursuit of economic diversity and sustainable development. India is
engaging with CARICOM for enhancing its relationship with developing countries
along with becoming the voice of Global South. India acknowledges that
countries need collective solutions to their common problems, especially since
they remain economically interdependent.