Suriname is the second stop in Jaishankar’s ongoing Caribbean outreach tour, which also includes Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago…reports Asian Lite News
S. Jaishankar arrived in Suriname on Wednesday during the second leg of his three nation diplomatic tour, where he is expected to hold high level bilateral talks aimed at strengthening India’s engagement with Caribbean nations.
The External Affairs Minister reached the Surinamese capital Paramaribo and was personally received by Suriname’s Foreign Minister Melvin Bouva.
Sharing details of the visit on social media platform X, Jaishankar described the warm reception as a touching gesture and expressed optimism about the upcoming discussions with the country’s leadership.
“Arrived in Paramaribo, Suriname, for my first visit. Really touched to be personally received by FM Melvin Bouva. Looking forward to our talks tomorrow,” Jaishankar posted.
During the visit, the External Affairs Minister is scheduled to hold a series of meetings with Suriname’s top leadership to discuss ways to deepen bilateral cooperation across sectors including trade, development partnership, capacity building and cultural ties.
Suriname is the second stop in Jaishankar’s ongoing Caribbean outreach tour, which also includes Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. The visit reflects India’s growing focus on strengthening strategic and economic engagement with Caribbean countries that share deep historical and cultural links with India.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the countries on Jaishankar’s itinerary have a unique connection with India because of their large Girmitiya communities. Girmitiyas were Indian indentured labourers taken to British colonies during the nineteenth century under labour agreements after the abolition of slavery. Many eventually settled permanently in the Caribbean, creating vibrant Indian origin communities that continue to maintain cultural and emotional ties with India.
Before arriving in Suriname, Jaishankar concluded a significant visit to Jamaica, where India announced a range of developmental assistance measures and signed key agreements aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation.
India pledged to provide 30 dialysis units, 40 fishing boats with engines, 200 GPS devices and related equipment to Jamaica as part of support for recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa last year.
Jaishankar also handed over 10 BHISHM emergency medical units during the visit, which marked the first bilateral visit by an Indian External Affairs Minister to Jamaica.
During his stay in Kingston, the minister called on Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and held delegation level talks with Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith.
The two sides signed three Memoranda of Understanding covering healthcare cooperation, solarisation of the Hugh Lawson Shearer Building and broadcasting. They also reviewed ongoing collaboration in digital transformation, sports, culture and digital payments while stressing the importance of delivering tangible outcomes from existing partnerships.
The discussions further explored expanding cooperation in healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, education and digitalisation. India also announced an increase in ITEC defence training slots for Jamaica from six to 34 and highlighted opportunities through ICCR scholarships and digital learning initiatives such as E Vidyabharati and iGOT Karmyogi.
India also appreciated Jamaica’s support for its candidature for a non permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2028 to 2029 term.
Both countries strongly condemned terrorism in all forms and reiterated support for the early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.Headline: India steps up Caribbean diplomacy as Jaishankar reaches Suriname
