Jaishankar Highlights India’s Growth During Visit to Jamaica
Kingston – India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, recently engaged with the Indian community in Jamaica, emphasizing the country’s ongoing growth in infrastructure, human development, and technology-enhanced governance and entrepreneurship.
The discussions took place in Kingston, where Jaishankar noted the warmth with which Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness spoke about the contributions of the Indian diaspora to the country’s development. “It was a pleasure to engage with the Indian community here. Hearing the Prime Minister recognize their many contributions was encouraging,” he shared on social media.
Jaishankar elaborated on the significant changes happening in India and highlighted the strong historical and cultural ties between India and Jamaica. The Indian-origin community has played a crucial role in reinforcing the relationship over the years.
His visit to Jamaica marks the beginning of a nine-day tour that will also take him to Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago, aiming to strengthen India’s strategic and cultural connections with the Caribbean nations.
According to the High Commission of India in Kingston, about 70,000 people of Indian descent live in Jamaica, most of whom are descendants of indentured laborers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, who arrived between 1845 and 1917. This community makes up about 3% of Jamaica’s population and has a lasting appreciation for Indian culture, music, and dance. They help maintain cultural ties between the two nations, with May 10 celebrated as India Heritage Day in Jamaica.
In an op-ed published in Jamaica’s The Gleaner, Jaishankar remarked, “Both India and Jamaica are diverse societies and democracies, and our relationship is enriched by the Indian diaspora that has linked us for over 180 years.” He emphasized that this community of approximately 70,000 serves as a vital connection between the two countries.
Jaishankar concluded that the India-Jamaica relationship is one of both continuity and evolution, built on a shared history and focused on a brighter future.
