Dominica: PM Roosevelt Skerrit wished people and government of India on Independence Day

Dominica: Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit has extended warm wishes to the people and government of the Republic of India on its 76th Independence Day on August 15, 2022 (Monday).

Prime Minister Skerrit took social media and wished his counterpart Prime Minister of India – Narendra Modi, and its people. He wrote, “On behalf of the people and the government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, I extend the warmest felicitations to @narendramodi @PMOIndia and the people of India on Independence Day.”

He further anticipated having a strong relationship between the Commonwealth of Dominica and the Republic of India. He mentioned, “Dominica looks forward to continued strong ties with the Republic of India.”

On behalf of the people and the government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, I extend the warmest felicitations to @narendramodi @PMOIndia and the people of India on Independence Day. Dominica looks forward to continued strong ties with the Republic of India. pic.twitter.com/adwYkQC7Cq

— Roosevelt Skerrit (@SkerritR) August 15, 2022

Dominica and India have shared a healthy relationship since 1981. India has helped the Caribbean country during the curial times of COVID-19. Dominica received 70,000 doses of the Oxford AstaZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India in February 2021. Notably, Dominica became the first Caribbean country to have COVID-19 vaccine when the world was in need of them.

Apart from this, India also helps Dominica in providing education. Many Dominica students decide to go to India to pursue higher education. Dr Irving McIntyre – the Minister of Health, Wellness and New Health Investment, is an alumnus of the Indira Gandhi Medical College of India.

Being a nice ally, India has also sent aid to Dominica after it was 90 percent devastated in 2017 because of Hurricane Maria. This assistance was provided after Prime Minister Skerrit officially visited India in the year 2015.

Before this, the Division of Agriculture of Dominica signed a Memorandum of Understating (MoU) with the Department of Agriculture Research & Education (DARE) of India. Under this MoU, the governments promised to cooperate in education and research in the agriculture sector. India is also a significant exporter to Dominica, and both countries shared a trade worth US$1.57 million in 2015-16.