Answer: The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is a grouping of twenty countries in the Caribbean, fifteen member States and five associate members, together forming a single market of political and economic entity established through the Treaty of Chaguaramas on July 4, 1973. The presence of a large Indian diaspora in the region and traditionally close relations of most member countries of CARICOM with India is an important factor in their relationship. The recent 4th India-CARICOM summit highlighted the potential areas of cooperation, such as:

• Health and pharmaceuticals: India, with its strong pharmaceutical industry and expertise in traditional medicine, can collaborate with CARICOM countries in promoting affordable healthcare and medical tourism.
• Culture and Education: Both India and CARICOM have rich cultural heritage and can collaborate in promoting cultural exchange programs, joint research projects, and educational initiatives.
• IT and ICT capacity building: India and CARICOM can collaborate in the area of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and digital transformation, including sharing expertise and technology in areas such as e-commerce, cyber security, and digital financial services.
• Climate Change: India and CARICOM can collaborate on efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change and promote sustainable development.

To further deepen and strengthen this relationship, certain recent measures taken in this regard are as follows:

• Developmental funding: India’s assistance of $ 14 million grant for Community Development Projects (CDP) in the CARICOM (1 million for each country) and India’s membership of the Caribbean Development Bank aims to promote trade in goods, services, and investments with greater Indian participation in Caribbean infrastructure development.
• Pharmaceuticals: India’s solidarity during the pandemic was highly appreciated among the Caribbean as India’s ‘Vaccine Maitri’ initiative resulted in the humanitarian donation of 5.7 lakh doses of vaccines for the Caribbean Region. India also has vouched for a supply of retroviral drugs for fighting HIV/AIDS as well.
• Climate change and Disaster resilience: India has lent 150 million in the form of a line of credit for projects related to solar, renewable energy, and climate change. Recently, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
• Trade and cooperation: India exports mostly pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, machinery, and instruments to CARICOM. Crude petroleum, gold, metalliferous ores, and scrap are major items that India imports from the Caribbean.
• Tourism promotion: India is looking to acquire and renovate hotels in the CARICOM region to popularize and establish Ayurveda/Yoga / Wellness centers in these hotels to boost tourism and travel between both regions.

The India-Caribbean story is a true example of South-South solidarity. India through CARICOM should continue to be an active partner in the region’s endeavor to convert these challenges as opportunities for growth, investment, and trade to realizing its true potential.