Strengthening Global South ties: PM Modi’s vision at 2nd India-CARICOM Summit

Recently the second India-CARICOM summit, held in Guyana, witnessed the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi heading the Indian delegation to a refreshing new chapter in India-CARICOM relations, took part in engagements with the regional heads of the Caribbean Community.

This was perhaps the first state visit from India after more than 50 years underlining its present and future thrust on multilateral growth and cooperation to tackle common problems and forging closer ties with such a vital region.

Seven Pillars to Strengthen Cooperation

At the summit, PM Modi proposed seven strategic pillars, collectively forming the acronym C-A-R-I-C-O-M:

1. Capacity Building: Improvement of human resource such as through education and skill development. The government plans to introduce an analogous portal focusing on CARICOM civil servants based on the Indian iGOT Karmayogi portal.
2. Agriculture and Food Security: Fostering climate adaptive agriculture, production, and trade of food goods to meet the food needs in the region.
3. Renewable Energy and Climate Change: Increasing the volume of renewable energy programmes to address the climate emergency.
4. Innovation, Technology, and Trade: An endeavor to create means of communication technology to bring together stakeholders to facilitate trades and technology exchanges.
5. Cricket and Culture: To strengthen the cultural relations through the aspects of sports and other historical connections.
6. Ocean Economy: How Island nations can achieve more from the limited potential of blue economy.
7. Medicine and Healthcare: Building capacities and strengthening of the health facilities and a forensic laboratory for the benefit of CARICOM states.

It is based on these pillars that efforts are to be made in order to meet these needs, such that the achievement of sustainable long-term growth in the region can be achieved.

Global South Advocacy: Constitution and Multilateral Reforms

Indian PM Modi underlined policies for India to be the speaking icon of global south, for inclusive development and reform of multilateralism. He mentioned India’s recent G20 Presidency and urged CARICOM’s cooperation in reforming the advanced world order for effective contemporary relevance.

Spotlight on India’s Pandemic Support

CARICOM leaders and all the delegates present on the podium, spoke highly of India especially related to its role in sending vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali proceeded to call this act as part of India’s benevolent leadership of the world.

Export and Import Schemes and other trade related activities that India and CARICOM discussed on and collaborated, covered these key areas:

• Economic Cooperation: Building on a $1 million Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) grant launched in 2019 as a key incentive for the growth of SMEs.
• Health and Pharmaceuticals: Improving rational and sustainable utilization of medical products and technologies.
• Technology and Trade: Supporting the digitalization agenda through an innovative solutions approach.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties

A potential theme of the India-CARICOM summit was culture and history. Currently, there are about 320,000 persons of Indian origin in Guyana, and this is a very solid ground for stimulating the relations between the two nations.

Now there is some trade relationship between India and CARICOM. India has been exporting products like pharmaceuticals, automobiles, iron and steel to the region. Remarkable interaction such as the observation of the International Yoga Day and many other similar events, have been anticipated to have strengthened the regional cooperation.

Future Goals

The proposed holding of the third India-CARICOM Summit in India reaffirms a future agenda. Joint Commissions and planned working will help to overcome the lack of incentives for producing operational and fruitful outcomes. This goal is expected to be achieved by ensuring that the decisions taken produce actual results in agricultural, energy, healthcare, and trade sectors.

This summit not only enhances India-CARICOM relationship, but also reflects India’s vision of sustainable development of the Global South which indicates a great success in the international relations.