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Durrant Pate/Contributor

India and Jamaica are forging a dynamic partnership to enhance trade and foster collaboration in skilled labour, and have signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in this regard.

The signed MOUs, which took place this morning prior to a joint news conference, are in the areas of health cooperation, solarisation of The Hugh Lawson Shearer Building, and broadcasting. The parties also agreed to strengthen trade linkages and explore cooperation for recruitment and mobility of skilled professionals, including healthcare workers and teachers.

Discussions covered digital transformation, cultural exchange, and digital payments. Both nations will enhance business and investment ties. Cooperation will expand in defence, security, healthcare, digitisation, agriculture, education, and infrastructure. 

Other areas of cooperation 

India also provided medical units and dialysis machines. Recent talks delved into areas such as digital innovation, cultural exchange, sports, and modern payment systems. The two nations are committed to strengthening their economic ties and pursuing new avenues for cooperation, India’s External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar disclosed during the joint press conference this morning.

Minister Jaishankar, who is the first Indian external affairs minister to arrive in Jamaica on a bilateral visit, this morning called on Prime Minister, Andrew Holness and held delegation-level talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith.

Minister Jaishankar advised, “we signed several important agreements and discussed effective implementations of MoUs which have been recently concluded in the fields of digital transformation, cultural exchange, sports and digital payments to ensure tangible outcomes on the ground….The two sides also discussed expanding cooperation in defence and security, healthcare, digitisation, agriculture, education and infrastructure.” 

Development cooperation

Highlighting development cooperation as a key pillar of ties, Jaishankar pointed to the successful completion of the Improving Rural Livelihoods Project in Kitson Town in March, implemented with Indian assistance of USD1 million under the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, benefiting over 200 individuals and impacting thousands more.

He said India is also discussing the feasibility of establishing an artisan empowerment hub in Jamaica and reiterated support for Jamaica’s recovery following Hurricane Melissa. The Indian Cabinet Minister handed over 10 BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) emergency medical units and announced the supply of 30 dialysis units, along with 40 fishing boats with engines, 200 GPS devices, and related equipment.

The two sides reaffirmed close coordination in multilateral fora on issues relating to the Global South, climate justice, climate finance, and Small Island Developing States. India appreciated Jamaica’s support for its candidature for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council for 2028-29.

Both sides strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and called for early finalisation of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. They also explored the feasibility of establishing an Artisan Empowerment Hub in Jamaica to support livelihoods under the India-CARICOM development partnership framework. 

In a statement, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said that both sides discussed expanding cooperation in priority sectors, including healthcare, infrastructure, digitalisation, agriculture, education, tourism, and capacity building.

Activities during Jamaican visit

During the visit, Minister Jaishankar visited the Indian Arrival Memorial at Old Harbour and, along with Prime Minister Andrew Holness, jointly unveiled a plaque for the India-gifted electronic scoreboard at Sabina Park. He announced a contribution of two million Jamaican dollars towards celebrations marking 181 years of the arrival of Indians in Jamaica on India Heritage Day.

Jaishankar also interacted with the business community and members of the Indian diaspora and participated in a public conversation at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. He also appreciated Industry Minister Aubyn Hill for convening the interaction with business leaders.

Jaishankar arrived in Kingston on Saturday, marking the first leg of his nine-day tour of Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, aimed at further strengthening India’s strategic and cultural ties with the Caribbean nations.