2nd India-CARICOM Summit | 23 Nov 2024

Source: PIB 

Why in News?

Recently, the Prime Minister of India chaired the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown, Guyana, alongside the Prime Minister of Grenada, the current CARICOM Chair. 

• The first India-CARICOM Summit was held in 2019 in New York. 

What are the Key Highlights of the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit?

• 7 Pillars of Cooperation: India’s Prime Minister proposed seven key pillars to strengthen ties between India and 'CARICOM'. These pillars are: 
  • C: Capacity Building: India announced an additional 1000 ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) slots for CARICOM countries over the next five years. 
  • A: Agriculture and Food Security: India shared its experience in agriculture, particularly in the use of technology such as drones, digital farming, and farm mechanisation. 
  • R: Renewable Energy and Climate Change: India called for greater collaboration on global initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and Mission LiFE. 
  • I: Innovation, Technology, and Trade: Prime Minister Modi offered India’s Digital Public Infrastructure and other technological models to improve public service delivery. 
  • C: Cricket and Culture: India proposed organising "Days of Indian Culture" in CARICOM countries and providing cricket training for young women cricketers from the region. 
  • O: Ocean Economy and Maritime Security: India expressed willingness to collaborate on maritime domain mapping and hydrography in the Caribbean Sea. 
  • M: Medicine and Healthcare: India offered its model for affordable healthcare, including the provision of generic medicines through Jan Aushadhi Kendras and the promotion of Yoga for well-being. 
• Climate Justice: CARICOM leaders appreciated India’s leadership in championing climate justice for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). 
  • SIDS are responsible for less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions but are among the most affected by climate change impacts. 
  • Climate justice means addressing the unequal and disproportionate impacts of climate change on different communities, particularly the poor, marginalised, and vulnerable groups.

What is the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)? 

• About: CARICOM is a grouping of 21 countries: 15 Member States  and 6 Associate Members including both island states and mainland territories like Suriname and Guyana.  
  • CARICOM was founded in 1973 with the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas by four founding members of Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. 

• Diversity: The community is made up of people from African, Indian, European, Chinese, Portuguese, and Indigenous backgrounds. 
  • Population: Approximately 16 million, with a young demographic, 60% under the age of 30. 
  • Languages: The region is multilingual, with English as the primary language, alongside French, Dutch, and various African and Asian languages. 
• Geographical Spread: The member states stretch from The Bahamas in the north to Suriname and Guyana in the south, making it a vast and diverse region with varying levels of economic and social development. 
  • They are primarily located in the Caribbean Sea (Atlantic Ocean). 
• Pillars of CARICOM's Integration: CARICOM's integration is built on four main pillars, which guide the objectives of the Community: 
  • Economic Integration: Enhance development and competitiveness through trade and productivity. 
  • Foreign Policy Coordination: Present a unified voice in international diplomacy. 
  • Human and Social Development: Focus on health, education, and poverty alleviation. 
  • Security: Strengthen regional security, disaster response, and crime prevention. 

Why is India and CARICOM Important for Each Other? 

• Strategic Expansion: The Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region is diversifying its geopolitical ties, seeking new partnerships in Asia, which aligns with India’s ambition to expand its presence in the region. 
• Shared Climate Concerns: India and CARICOM face climate change impacts, including rising sea levels and extreme weather.  
  • India’s COP-26 efforts align with CARICOM’s call for climate finance for mitigation and adaptation. 
• International Solar Alliance (ISA): The ISA, co-founded by India, offers a platform for CARICOM nations to enhance solar energy deployment.  
  • Additionally, the One World One Sun One Grid (OWOSOG) initiative is an innovative approach to creating a global grid that could transmit solar energy across continents. 
• Digital Health Collaboration: India’s digital health advancements, like CoWin and National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), offer a model for improving healthcare systems in CARICOM, especially for climate-induced health threats.  
• Biofuel and Energy Cooperation: India’s collaboration with Brazil in biofuel research could be extended to CARICOM nations, creating a platform for joint energy solutions and biofuel production. 
• Strengthened Partnerships: India’s Prime Minister’s visit and India’s ongoing development assistance programs, such as the USD 1 million contribution to the CARICOM Development Fund, lay a strong foundation for future collaborations.

Conclusion

The 2nd India-CARICOM Summit marked a significant step in deepening bilateral ties, with a focus on areas such as renewable energy, climate change, healthcare, and economic development. This collaboration offers vast opportunities to address shared challenges, particularly climate change and sustainable growth, enhancing India’s role in the Caribbean region.