India’s report card from its president’s just concluded Caribbean visit to Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines was punctuated with positive affirmations.
Secretary of the East Region, Saurabh Kumar, is reporting that India was being appreciated by Jamaica and St Vincent for reaching out to their countries.
Briefing reporters on President Ram Nath Kovind’s visit to the two Caribbean countries from May 15-20, Kumar said, “…there was an appreciation that despite the small size of these two countries, India being a large democracy has reached out to them.”
Referring to the provision of COVID-19 vaccines by Delhi to small island countries, Kumar explained that both countries have appreciated India’s efforts in providing the vaccine—pointing out that Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness mentioned that India was the first country to provide vaccines to his country.
Replying to a question over the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Jamaica and India, Kumar said, “in Jamaica, the MOU was signed for the cooperation between our diplomatic service institution, Sushma Swaraj Foreign Service and Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the training of diplomats.”
St Vincent & the Grenadines
According to Kumar, “in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves mentioned that while some countries were indulging in vaccine nationalism, India was the country which provided the vaccine to the small states.”
Talking about socio-development projects which India initiated in small islands country, Kumar declared that India was being appreciated for the projects.
“We have carried out socio-economic development and quick-impact projects in the two countries. We’ve assisted St Vincent and the Grenadines during adverse circumstances involving hurricanes and natural disasters. Our dialogue with them on the environment has been hugely important,” he added.
During the briefing, Kumar said that India was being appreciated for its independent positions in international affairs and collaborations within the framework of the UN and other multilateral fora.
He further said that both the countries will support India’s international candidature and this visit has contributed to strengthening this particular area of cooperation.
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