Inviting to join ISA, PM Modi addresses 1st India-Caribbean leaders’ summit

New York, September 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the leaders of the Caribbean Community and Common Market during the first-ever India-Caricom leaders' summit in New York last night. The meet focused on fighting climate change and increasing India's participation with the grouping.

 

A statement released by External Affairs Ministry said that PM Modi announced a 14 million US dollar grant for community development projects in the Caricom and another 150 million line of credit for solar, renewable energy and climate change-related projects. Leaders and representatives including from Antigua & Barbuda, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad, and Tobago attended the meeting. PM Modi invited them to join the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

The meeting deliberated on the strengthening the political and institutional dialogue processes, boosting economic cooperation, increasing trade and investment and fostering greater and more robust people- to- people relations. PM Modi also laid emphasis on partnering with CARICOM countries in capacity building, development assistance and cooperation in disaster management and resilience. He invited CARICOM countries to join the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

 

Reiterating India's firm commitment to strengthen its political, economic and cultural engagement with Caricom, the Prime Minister recalled the presence of more than a million-strong Indian diaspora as a vibrant and enduring link of friendship with the Caribbean.

Caricom leaders welcomed the Indian initiatives to strengthen cooperation and reassured full support from their respective governments.