India extends support towards Kamina Johnson’s candidature for post of Secretary-General of Commonwealth

Jamaica: The Republic of India has extended its support towards the Senator and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade- Kamina Smith Johnson’s candidature for the post of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.

The Press Release shared by the Ministry read, “India has declared support for Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith’s candidature for the post of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.”

In a letter addressed to Minister Smith, Dr S Jaishankar- Indian Minister of External Affairs, expressed the Government’s assurance that her “excellent credentials and impeccable track record can offer the right leadership to the Commonwealth at this important juncture.”

The minister of External Affairs further expressed the desire for collaboration to “ensure that the Commonwealth’s relevance and priorities are effectively met”.

The support has been extended after President of India- Ram Nath Kovind visited Jamaica, the first to visit the country. The visit coincides with Jamaica’s and India’s celebration of 60 and 75 years of Independence, respectively as well as the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In welcoming the endorsement, Minister Johnson Smith stated that she shares the intent expressed by the Indian Minister to strengthen the excellent coordination between the two countries on a wide range of issues of mutual interest in the multilateral fora, and furthermore affirmed that she also looks forward to “engaging in robust, multilayered co-operation, including within the family of connected and committed Commonwealth nations”.

India, a founding member of the Commonwealth and its most populous member state, joins a growing number of countries that have declared support for the minister’s candidature for Secretary-General ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of State and Government Meeting (CHOGM), which will be hosted by Rwanda during the week of June 20, 2022.