India, Jamaica strengthen ties as PM Modi holds talks with counterpart Holness

New Delhi, Oct 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica held warm and productive talks in New Delhi today, marking a historic moment in India-Jamaica relations.

The meeting, highlighted by strong bilateral discussions, focused on enhancing future cooperation across a wide range of sectors including trade, investment, renewable energy, digital transformation, education, and people-to-people connections.

In a tweet by the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal stated, "PM @narendramodi and PM @AndrewHolnessJM of Jamaica held warm and productive talks today. The leaders discussed ways to further strengthen ties and enhance cooperation in trade, investment, renewable energy, digital transformation, development partnership, education, capacity building, and P2P connect."

Prime Minister Holness echoed this sentiment in his tweet, expressing the significance of the visit. He said, "My visit to India and bilateral discussions with Prime Minister @narendramodi mark a historic moment for Jamaica, ushering in a new era of diplomatic relations and enhanced bilateral cooperation between our nations."

One of the standout moments during the visit was the renaming of a prominent street in New Delhi as "Jamaica Marg" in honour of the growing bond between the two nations. PM Holness, in his tweet, celebrated this milestone, saying, "Today, we had the honour of unveiling the renamed Jamaica Marg Road in India and officially opening the Jamaican High Commission. These accomplishments signal the importance of the relationship between India and Jamaica."

The opening of Jamaica’s High Commission in New Delhi was another significant moment during the visit. PM Holness remarked that this new diplomatic post would strengthen the presence of Jamaica in India, especially in sectors such as tourism, cultural exchange, and economic collaboration. He emphasised the immense potential for expanding direct links between the two nations.

Adding a cultural touch to the diplomatic visit, legendary cricketer Chris Gayle, who accompanied the Jamaican delegation, was warmly welcomed by Indian fans. Gayle’s popularity in India, especially through his cricketing career, was noted by PM Holness. He tweeted, "Chris Gayle is not just an icon in Jamaica; he is also widely known, respected, and adored here in India for his cricketing prowess."

At a joint press conference, Prime Minister Modi expressed his enthusiasm for the visit, saying, "I am delighted to welcome Prime Minister Holness and his delegation to India. This marks Prime Minister Holness's first bilateral visit to India, and we place special importance on this occasion. Our discussions today have further solidified the strong bond between India and Jamaica."

PM Modi highlighted the "Four Cs" that define India-Jamaica relations: Culture, Cricket, Commonwealth, and CARICOM (Caribbean Community). He highlighted the shared democratic values, historical ties, and growing people-to-people connections between the two nations. "India and Jamaica may be separated by vast oceans, but our minds, our cultures, and our histories are deeply intertwined," Modi added.

Both leaders discussed global and regional issues, agreeing on the importance of resolving tensions through dialogue and the need for reforms in global institutions like the United Nations Security Council. PM Modi also praised Jamaica for supporting its Indian-origin community, which numbers around 70,000 and plays a key role in fostering ties between the two countries.

Four major MoU’s were signed during the visit, furthering cooperation in digital public infrastructure, payments, cultural exchange, and sports. This includes a Memorandum of Understanding between India's Ministry of Electronics and Jamaica’s Office of the Prime Minister on financial inclusion and digital transformation, and an MoU on cultural exchange for the next five years.

The visit also showcased the mutual love for cricket, with PM Modi mentioning Jamaica’s legendary cricketers like Courtney Walsh and Chris Gayle, both of whom enjoy immense popularity in India. He humorously added that the outcomes from the discussions would propel India-Jamaica relations at a pace “faster than Usain Bolt,” referencing the world-renowned Jamaican sprinter.

In the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings, PM Holness paid homage at Rajghat by planting a Champa sapling, symbolising Jamaica’s commitment to a greener planet. Tomorrow, PM Holness is scheduled to visit Varanasi, further deepening cultural ties during his visit.