Road in front of Jamaica High Commission in New Delhi renamed ‘Jamaica Marg’.

Durrant Pate/Contributor

India has agreed to share its expertise with Jamaica in a range of areas from digital public infrastructure, biofuel, and innovation to health care.

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi gave this commitment today during wide-ranging talks with his visiting Jamaican counterpart, Andrew Holness, whilst highlighting that India is a “trusted partner” in Jamaica’s development journey.

Making reference to Jamaican Olympic gold medalist, Usain Bolt, Modi states that ties between the two countries will grow faster than the ace sprinter, acknowledging that sports play a very strong and important role in boosting ties. Citing that both India and Jamaica are “cricket-loving” countries, which have traditionally enjoyed cordial relations based on common linkages of history, parliamentary democracy, and membership of the Commonwealth.

Lauds Indian community in Jamaica

He cited Jamaica as one of the ‘Girmitya’ countries with a 70,000 strong Indian diaspora, which act as a living bridge between both sovereignty. Girmitiya are those Indians who went abroad as indentured labourers to countries such as Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana Mauritius, Fiji and Suriname.

The Indian Prime Minister lauded the Indian community in Jamaica, saying the people of Indian-origin, who consider Jamaica as their home are a “living example of our cultural heritage.” India was one of the first countries to recognise Jamaica after it became an independent nation.

Tackling organised crime and drug trafficking

Prime Minister Modi announced that the road in front of the Jamaican High Commission, which was officially opened in New Delhi this morning has been renamed ‘Jamaica Marg’. He identified organised crime, drug trafficking, and terrorism as common challenges facing both nations.

Prime Minister Modi highlighted that India and Jamaica are unanimous that reform of all global institutions, including the UN Security Council (UNSC), is necessary. The remarks assume significance since countries like UK and France recently backed India’s bid for permanent membership in UNSC. 

Modi argues that in the defence sphere, India will move forward on imparting training and capacity building of Jamaica’s armed forces. He and Holness discussed regional and global issues and agreed that all tensions and disputes should be resolved through talks.

They also agreed that both sides will continue to work towards ensuring global peace and security. Prime Minister Holness arrived in New Delhi on Monday in the first-ever bilateral visit of a Jamaican Prime Minister to India.