Recently, the Prime Minister of Jamaica visited India to strengthen bilateral relations in various areas including trade and investment. This will be the first bilateral visit of a Jamaican Prime Minister to India.
The main results of this visit:
Meeting with the President of India:
The two leaders agreed on the need to further strengthen the partnership at various levels, including parliamentary, educational and cultural exchanges, as well as cooperation in international fora.
The President appreciated Jamaica’s participation in all three editions of the Voice of the Global South Summit and emphasized the shared commitment of both countries to reform multilateral institutions, including the UN Security Council, through groups such as L-69.
Various Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed:
The Governments of India and Jamaica collaborate to share successful digital public infrastructure, cultural exchange programmes and cooperation in sports.
The MoU was signed between International Payments Limited and eGov Jamaica Limited.
Voice of the Global South Summit (VOGSS):
The Voice of the Global South Summit (VOGSS) is an innovative and unique initiative led by India to bring together countries of the Global South and share their perspectives and priorities on a common platform on various issues.
It reflects India’s philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, or “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” and the Prime Minister’s vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas.
Relations between India and Jamaica:
India was one of the first countries to recognise Jamaica after its independence, establishing diplomatic relations with it in 1962 and a resident mission in Kingston in 1976 following the visit of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Jamaica established its Resident Mission in India in 2020.
India and Jamaica have historically maintained cordial and friendly relations, which are based on shared bonds of history, parliamentary democracy, Commonwealth membership and mutual love for cricket.
Jamaica is home to a 70,000-strong Indian diaspora, one of the host countries, and serves as an important link between the two countries. The year 2022 marks the completion of 177 years of presence of the Indian community in Jamaica.
The indentured countries are those where Indian indentured labourers settled, such as Fiji, Guyana, Mauritius, South Africa, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Reunion Island.
Both countries are members of international organizations such as Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and G-77.
As developing countries, India and Jamaica share common goals such as economic growth, equality, poverty alleviation and improving the quality of life of citizens.
Jamaica:
It is an island country in the West Indies, the third largest island in the Caribbean Sea after Cuba and Hispaniola.
It is located on the Caribbean coast of Central America, west of Haiti, south of Cuba, northeast of Cape Gracias-a-Dios, the nearest point to the mainland.
The national capital is Kingston.
Its population is of African descent, descended from slaves brought by European colonists.
Jamaica gained independence from Britain in 1962 and remains a member of the Commonwealth.
