Jamaica: Senator and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Candidate for Commonwealth Secretary-General – Kamina Johnson Smith has recently expressed pleasure in welcoming the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, to Jamaica in a few days.
The visit will focus on strengthening the diplomatic ties between Jamaica and India.
“Jamaica looks forward to warmly welcoming to our shores the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind. This historic visit will commence exactly one week from today and forms part of our recognition of 60 years of India and Jamaica diplomatic relations,” Kamina stated on social media.
President Kovind will pay an official visit to the Caribbean island country between May 15, 2022, and May 18, 2022.
As per the Government of India, President Kovind will also pay a state visit to St Vincent and Grenadines (SVG); this will be the first-ever visit by an Indian Head of state to these countries.
During the visit, he would hold delegation-level talks with his counterpart, the Governor-General of Jamaica, Patrick Allen; he would also interact with the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness and other dignitaries. President will also address the joint sitting of the two houses of the Jamaica Parliament, as per the schedule shared by the Indian government.
Jamaica and India have friendly relations, and Jamaica is also one of the Girmitya countries with a 70,000 strong Indian diaspora, which acts as a living bridge with Indians. The visit comes at a milestone as 2022 is the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Jamaica. Furthermore, India and Jamaica are celebrating the 75th and 60th anniversaries of their independence, respectively.
President Kovind will also visit to St Vincent and the Grenadines from May 18 2022, to May 21. During the visit, he will hold a discussion with his counterpart Governor-General Susan Dougan. He will also meet Prime Minister Dr Ralph E Gonsalves as well as other dignitaries. He will address the House of Assembly of SVG.
SVG is an important partner of India. India and SVG were both non-permanent members of the UNSC in 2021 and shared good Cooperation during this period.
Jamaica and SVG are active members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The first-ever Head of a state visit to these countries is a construction of India’s high-level engagement with the countries in the Caribbean region and emphasizes our continued commitment to work with small island developing countries.
