Chairman of CARICOM and Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell on Wednesday said now more than ever, closer linkages between CARICOM and its trusted partner, India, are needed to better equip citizens of the region to overcome existing development challenges.
As he addressed the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and Regional counterparts at the Second India-CARICOM Summit, the CARICOM Chairman said the challenges are plenty.
Prime Minister Mitchell said the historic summit is taking place against the backdrop of rapid development both regionally and globally that continue to impact citizens of the region.
“The multifaceted and protracted crisis in Haiti, the existential threat we face from climate change, the post-COVID-19 economic recovery challenges, the conflicts in the Middle-East and the ongoing Russian-Ukraine war have all contributed to high inflation, global unemployment, and have contributed to some measures of despair, and uncertainty and anxiety amongst our people,” the CARICOM Chairman said.
He noted that these circumstances have not only sapped resources, but have also shifted the attention of the international community from the challenges facing developing countries.
The Prime Minister said the gloomy international landscape has exacerbated the already uncertain outlook for small and extremely vulnerable islands and low-lying states within CARICOM.
With continued support and backing from India, Mitchell believes CARICOM can overcome many of its challenges.
Meanwhile, CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett said India’s collaboration with CARICOM has led to sustainable contributions in critical areas, such as human resource development, healthcare, renewable energy, information communication technology and the blue Economy.
Added to that, she said India has used its global platforms to champion issues affecting small states.
“As our countries continue to navigate the complexities of sustainable development, south-south partnerships, such as ours, is imperative to foster innovative solutions. The community, therefore, commends and thanks India for its strong advocacy on issues that are important to our region, and India’s presidency of the G20 in 2023 was testament to this commitment with reform to the global architecture as a priority. Such advocacy in the international arena is critical, particularly, where we as small states do not have a loud enough voice,” the CARICOM-Secretary General said.
President Irfaan Ali, in his address lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, thanking him for his many interventions.
“Under your visionary leadership, India has an influential voice in international community. Your launching of the Voice of the Global South, your recent chairmanship of the Group of 20, India’s pivotal role in BRICS and your steadfast advocacy for the developing world underscores your commitment to advancing the aspirations of the Global South. These initiatives have elevated India’s stature and placed the concerns of developing nations, including the small island developing and low-lying coastal states of the Caribbean, firmly on the global agenda,” President Ali said.
He recalled that when faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, India was first in line to deliver much needed vaccines to the region.The President said for that, CARICOM is thankful. He said India has also contributed significantly to the region’s rich culture.
CARICOM and India have also partnered in a numbered of areas including agriculture, health, technology, security, and education, energy and commerce.
The first India-CARICOM Summit was held in September 2019.
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