Context:
The Prime Minister holds talks with Caribbean partner to strengthen ties
CARICOM (Caribbean Community):
- Regional organization to promote economic integration and cooperation in the Caribbean Region.
- Established in 1973 by the Treaty of Chaguaramas.
- Members – 15 full members, 6 associate members and 8 observers
- Full Members – Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago
- India is neither an associate member nor an observer member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). However, India maintains strong bilateral relations and engagement with CARICOM as a partner.
- Secretariat at – Georgetown, Guyana.
- Enjoys observer status in UNGA since 1991.
Historical Context of India-CARICOM Relations:
- 1985 – Formal relations began with an Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation.
- 2003 – Establishment of a Standing Joint Commission for Consultation, Cooperation, and Coordination.
- 2015 – 1st meeting of the CARICOM-India Joint Commission, identifying key areas of cooperation.
- 2024 – Historic summit in Georgetown, Guyana, marking the 1st standalone meeting between CARICOM Heads of Government and India’s Prime Minister
The first India-CARICOM Summit was held in 2019 in New York in the margins of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Consider the following countries:
1. Denmark
2. Japan
3. Russian Federation
4. United Kingdom
5. United States of America
Which of the above are the members of the ‘Arctic Council’?
[UPSC CSE Exam – 2014 Prelims]
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 4 and 5
(d) 1, 3 and 5
Answer: (d)
