Grenada and other Caribbean Community (Caricom) member states are to receive one million dollars each from India for quick impact, community development projects.
India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi delivered the news to Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dr the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell and his Caricom colleagues on Wednesday, when he met with them on the margins of the United National General Assembly in New York.
Acknowledging the threat Caribbean islands face due to rising sea levels and increasingly intense hurricanes, Prime Minister Modi also announced a line of credit of $150 million for climate change-related projects in Caricom countries. He has also promised collaboration on disaster resilient infrastructure to enable the infrastructure in Caribbean countries to better withstand disasters.
Regional leaders attending the two-hour meeting at the Lotte New York Palace, all welcomed the announcement of new aid.
Dr Mitchell, who led Grenada’s delegation to the meeting said, “India is considered a long-time friend and formidable ally in our development process. We are immensely grateful for the support provided in the past and we certainly welcome this new aid.”
The Grenadian leader echoed the description of India as an international development partner and he expressed optimism about future relations. He said, “I envision a future of greater trade and investment relations, higher levels of engagement on areas of mutual concern and most importantly, opportunities for the growth and development of our people.”
Human resource development, information technology and agriculture have already been identified as potential areas for future cooperation. At Wednesday’s meeting, it was proposed that a joint technical committee be established to examine areas for improved relations between Caricom and India.
The India-Caricom Leaders’ Meeting was intended to help bolster multilateral relations between India and Caricom. However, many Caribbean countries have had a long history of excellent bilateral relations with India.
In the case of Grenada, bilateral relations with India have existed since 1975 and Grenada has benefitted significantly from technical assistance over the years and several training courses and postgraduate scholarships have been provided.
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Note to Editors:
Photo Captions
Prime Minister, Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell and his Caricom colleagues pose for a group photo with Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi at the India-Caricom Leaders’ Meeting in New York.
Prime Minister, Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell, accompanied by Foreign
Affairs Minister, Honourable Peter David; Grenada’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Keisha McGuire and Chief of Protocol, Mr. Adrian Joseph attending the India-Caricom Leaders’ Meeting in New York.
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These offers by The Indian government come at a time when the people of Kashmir, the only Muslim state in the subcontinent is under an undemocratic lockdown. One must remember that Modi was the governor of Gujarat state when hundreds of muslims perished at the hands of Hindus , Modi was blamed for this sectarian uprising but he was never prosecuted. After that occurence The USA banned him from traveling there.
The most likely reason for this overture to these island states is to get supporting votes in The UN. Pakistan Prime Minister, Imran Khan intends to bring this matter to The UN and that has Modi scampering for support.. Only last week Pakistan refused to allow Modi’s aircraft permission to fly in its airspace just showing how at odds these two nuclear states are over the Kashmir issue. Beware of some who come bearing gifts, Modi is looking for UN votes.
Can you tell me what does India get in return? That’s very interesting… millions of people in India are destitute and dying of starvation and extremely poor living conditions, yet they have funds to give away? Please take a pause….
Hmm selling out of Grenada to the Asians. Grenada will be a little Trinidad and Guyana. Over runner by Indians and the Blacks will be second class citizens.