India and CARICOM Deepen Partnership Through Diplomacy and Development

Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New York highlights cooperation in trade, digital governance, climate resilience and multilateral affairs

India and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation at the India–CARICOM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held in New York on September 23, 2026, on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The meeting was co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Melvin W. J. Bouva, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Cooperation of Suriname. Foreign ministers and senior representatives from several CARICOM member states also participated in the discussions.

The meeting focused on expanding cooperation in areas including trade and investment, agriculture and food security, digital governance, climate resilience and energy. These areas reflect shared development priorities and provide opportunities for stronger economic and technological partnerships between India and Caribbean nations.

Development cooperation was another important dimension of the discussions. India has supported Caribbean countries through initiatives involving healthcare, capacity building, technology and renewable energy. Such cooperation forms part of India’s wider South-South development partnership.

The two sides also exchanged views on important multilateral issues, including UN reforms, climate change, counter-terrorism and transnational crime. CARICOM’s decision to support India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2028–29 term added an important multilateral dimension to the engagement.

The meeting builds on the momentum of the Second India–CARICOM Summit held in Guyana in November 2024, where India and CARICOM leaders discussed strengthening cooperation across economic, technological and development sectors.

The New York meeting demonstrates the growing importance of India–CARICOM relations within India’s broader engagement with the Global South. With opportunities spanning trade, investment, technology, climate action and development cooperation, sustained dialogue can provide a foundation for deeper India–Caribbean partnerships in the years ahead.