Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Visit to Guyana and 2nd India-CARICOM Summit

Guyana-India Bilateral Relations:

Establishment of Diplomatic Missions

1. Indian Commission: Established in Georgetown, Guyana in May 1965, marking the beginning of formal diplomatic ties.
2. High Commission: Upgraded to a High Commission in 1968.

Cultural Diplomacy

1. Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC): Established in 1972 to promote cultural exchange and strengthen mutual understanding between India and Guyana.

Infrastructure Support

India has provided support for several key infrastructure projects in Guyana, including:

1. National Cricket Stadium
2. Solar Traffic Lights
3. Centre of Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT)

Geographical Context of Guyana:

1. Location: Situated in the northeastern corner of South America.
2. Borders:
   1. North: Atlantic Ocean.
   2. East: Suriname (along the Courantyne River).
   3. South and Southwest: Brazil.
   4. West: Venezuela.

3. Major Rivers:

   1. Courantyne
   2. Berbice
   3. Demerara
   4. Essequibo
4. Oil Reserves: Guyana has become a significant player in the global oil and gas market with recent discoveries of 11.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent, making up about 18% of global oil and gas discoveries.

What is CARICOM?

1. Full Form: CARICOM stands for the Caribbean Community.
2. Established: CARICOM was formed in 1973 with the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas. It is the oldest surviving integration movement in the developing world.
   1. The Treaty of Chaguaramas was later revised in 2002, paving the way for the creation of a single market and a single economy among its members.

3. Members:

   1. Total Members: CARICOM includes 21 countries in total, consisting of 15 member states and 6 associate members.
   2. Geographical Spread: The member states stretch from the Bahamas in the north to Suriname and Guyana in South America.
   3. Developing Countries: All CARICOM member states are considered developing countries in the Caribbean region.

4. Demography:

   1. CARICOM is home to approximately 16 million citizens.
   2. Youthful Population: Around 60% of its population is under the age of 30.
   3. Ethnic Composition: The population is diverse, consisting of various ethnic groups such as:
      1. Indigenous Peoples
      2. Africans
      3. Indians
      4. Europeans
      5. Chinese
      6. Portuguese
      7. Javanese

Objectives of CARICOM:

CARICOM's objectives are rooted in four main pillars:

1. Economic Integration
2. Foreign Policy Coordination
3. Human and Social Development
4. Security

CARICOM's Historical Background:

1. Political Union and Early Integration: The Caribbean’s journey toward regional integration began with the West Indies Federation in 1958, a political union that eventually collapsed in 1962.
2. This was followed by the creation of the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) in 1965, which served as a precursor to CARICOM.
3. Formation of CARICOM: The formal establishment of CARICOM in 1973 marked a more structured approach to regional cooperation and integration, focusing on both economic and social development.

CARICOM Summits and India-CARICOM Relations:

1. India’s Engagement with CARICOM: India and CARICOM last met in 2019 during the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). At that time, both sides discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
2. Future Engagements: India has proposed to host the third India-CARICOM Summit in India, aiming to enhance ties and further develop strategic partnerships between India and the Caribbean countries.

Why is CARICOM Important to India’s Global South Strategy?

1. Enhancing Ties with Developing Nations:

1. India’s Global South Strategy: Strengthening relations with CARICOM aligns with India's broader objective of fostering partnerships with developing nations, particularly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
2. By engaging with CARICOM, India seeks to enhance its influence in the Global South and promote cooperative efforts on a wide range of issues.

2. Additional Global Platform for India:

1. Commonwealth Ties: Many CARICOM countries are also members of the Commonwealth of Nations, providing India with additional platforms for diplomatic cooperation, particularly in international forums such as the United Nations and World Trade Organization (WTO).
2. Issues of Mutual Interest: India and CARICOM countries share common concerns on various global issues such as:
   1. Trade
   2. Climate change
   3. Disaster management

3. Shared Concerns on Climate Change:

1. Existential Threats: Climate change is a significant issue for both India and CARICOM nations. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation pose existential threats to many Caribbean countries.
2. For India, which faces its own challenges with climate impacts, strengthening ties with CARICOM nations on this front is crucial.
3. Cooperation on Climate Action: India and CARICOM have agreed to collaborate on climate action, given their shared vulnerabilities and common goals of environmental protection and sustainable development.

Global South and India’s Role

1. The Global South: The Global South refers to countries often classified as developing, less developed, or underdeveloped. These countries, mostly in Africa, Asia, and South America, face common challenges such as:
   1. Poverty
   2. High income inequality
   3. Lower life expectancy
   4. Harsh living conditions
2. India’s Position: India, as a leading member of the Global South, is strategically focusing on enhancing its ties with other developing nations to promote mutual development and address common global challenges. CARICOM is an important part of India’s diplomatic outreach within this framework.
3. The Global North: In contrast to the Global South, the Global North refers to wealthier countries like the U.S., Canada, Europe, Russia, Australia, and New Zealand, which have higher levels of economic development and generally better living conditions.
4. India’s engagement with the Global South, including CARICOM, helps diversify its foreign policy and provides more platforms for cooperation in international forums.