Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of the Commonwealth of Dominica in Georgetown, Guyana. This meeting was part of India's continued efforts to enhance connections and cooperation with Caribbean nations.
India and Dominica have shared friendly ties since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1981. Although Dominica does not have a diplomatic mission in India, its interests are managed through India's mission in Port of Spain.
Over the years, the relationship between India and Dominica has been highlighted by several high-level interactions. A notable moment was when Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Skerrit engaged during the India-CARICOM Leaders' Meeting in New York in September 2019, alongside the United Nations General Assembly.
In April 2020, India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, discussed the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic with Dominica's Foreign Minister, Kenneth Darroux, via a telephonic conversation. More recently, in 2023, Dominica’s Foreign Minister Vince Henderson participated in various significant gatherings, including the India-COFCOR Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Georgetown and the India-UN for Global South conference during India's G20 Presidency in New York.
India has actively supported Dominica's development through several initiatives. One example is the India-UNDP Project in Kalinago, launched in February 2021 with a grant of USD 1 million, aimed at improving sustainable livelihoods and community resilience. In early 2024, India allocated another USD 1 million for the project's second phase, focusing on enhancing the resilience of local communities.
As part of its Vaccine Maitri initiative, India donated 70,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines to Dominica, which Prime Minister Skerrit personally received in February 2021. In addition, India has provided medical supplies, including support during the Covid-19 crisis and medicines for public hospitals in 2016.
The Indian community in Dominica, though small, plays a significant role in strengthening cultural ties between the nations. Around 70 Indian nationals work in the retail and medical sectors, particularly at Ross Medical University, while approximately 500 people of Indian descent live in the island nation.
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