Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday warmly welcomed Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness on his first bilateral visit to India, underscoring the significance of the visit in enhancing ties between the two nations.
"Prime Minister Holness has long been a friend of India. I am confident that his visit will bring new energy to our bilateral relations and strengthen our engagement with the Caribbean region," PM Modi said in his address.
The leaders discussed strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors, with a focus on trade, investment, defense, and education. PM Modi emphasized that the relationship between India and Jamaica is built on shared history, democratic values, and strong people-to-people ties, noting their partnership is characterized by "Culture, Cricket, Commonwealth, and CARICOM."
India has consistently supported Jamaica’s development efforts, Modi stated, citing the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program and scholarships from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) as part of capacity-building efforts.
"We are ready to share our experience with Jamaica in areas like digital public infrastructure, biofuel, innovation, health, education, and agriculture," he added, highlighting plans to support the Jamaican military through training and defense cooperation.
PM Modi and PM Holness also discussed tackling common challenges such as organized crime, drug trafficking, and terrorism. The leaders agreed on the importance of resolving global and regional disputes through dialogue, while committing to reforming global institutions, including the United Nations Security Council.
During the visit, India and Jamaica underscored their cultural ties, with PM Modi announcing that the road in front of the Jamaican High Commission in Delhi will be named "Jamaica Marg" to symbolize enduring friendship. The Indian prime minister also noted the popularity of Jamaican cultural exports like "Reggae" and "Dancehall" music in India, as well as the influence of cricket as a common bond between the two countries.
In closing, PM Modi praised the contributions of the Indian-origin community in Jamaica, which numbers around 70,000, and expressed his appreciation for Jamaica’s care and support of the diaspora.
"Just as yoga, Bollywood, and folk music from India have been adopted in Jamaica, similarly 'Reggae' and 'Dancehall' from Jamaica are also becoming popular in India," Modi noted.
The meeting between PM Modi and PM Holness is expected to propel bilateral relations to new heights, as both leaders reiterated their commitment to enhancing cooperation in various sectors, including sports and defense.
Addressing the press meet with PM @AndrewHolnessJM of Jamaica. https://t.co/frvEFbgp6O
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 1, 2024
In a major step forward, India and Jamaica signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), cementing their partnership across various sectors. These agreements include cooperation in digital public infrastructure, cultural exchanges, financial inclusion, and sports.
The MoUs are as follows:
1. MoU on Co-Operation in the Field of Sharing Successful Digital Public Infrastructure for Financial Inclusion and Economic Transformation:
- Jamaican Representative: Ms. Dana Morris Dixon, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister
- Indian Representative: Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance
2. MoU between NPCI International Payments Limited and Egov Jamaica Limited:
- Jamaican Representative: Ms. Dana Morris Dixon, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister
- Indian Representative: Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance
3. Cultural Exchange Programme MoU for 2024-2029:
- Jamaican Representative: Ms. Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
- Indian Representative: Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance
4. MoU on Cooperation in Sports:
- Jamaican Representative: Ms. Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
- Indian Representative: Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance
These agreements underscore the deepening relationship between the two countries, particularly in the areas of technology, culture, and sports.
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