Addressing a joint press conference after talks with his Jamaican counterpart here on Monday, Jaishankar said the discussions were comprehensive, and the two sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral ties, identifying new avenues to deepen the partnership.
Three MoUs were signed in the areas of health cooperation, solarisation of The Hugh Lawson Shearer Building, and broadcasting.
“We signed several important agreements and discussed effective implementations of MoUs which have been recently concluded in the fields of digital transformation, cultural exchange, sports and digital payments to ensure tangible outcomes on the ground,” he said.
Jaishankar said that India has recognised Jamaica’s growing role as a logistics hub and gateway to the Caribbean for trade and investment.
“We agreed to strengthen further trade, business and investment linkages, explore cooperation for recruitment and mobility of skilled professionals, including nurses, healthcare workers and teachers,” he said.The two sides also discussed expanding cooperation in defence and security, healthcare, digitisation, agriculture, education and infrastructure, the minister said.
Highlighting development cooperation as a key pillar of ties, Jaishankar noted the successful completion of the Improving Rural Livelihoods Project in Kitson Town in March, implemented with Indian assistance of USD 1 million under the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, benefiting over 200 individuals and impacting thousands more.
He said India is also discussing the feasibility of establishing an artisan empowerment hub in Jamaica and reiterated support for the country’s recovery following Hurricane Melissa.
Jaishankar handed over 10 BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) emergency medical units and announced the supply of 30 dialysis units, along with 40 fishing boats with engines, 200 GPS devices, and related equipment.
The two sides reaffirmed close coordination in multilateral fora, including on issues relating to the Global South, climate justice, climate finance, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
India appreciated Jamaica’s support for its candidature for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council for 2028-29.
Both sides strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and called for early finalisation of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
Both sides also explored the feasibility of establishing an Artisan Empowerment Hub in Jamaica to support livelihoods under the India-CARICOM development partnership framework. CARICOM has 15 members – Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago.
In a statement, the MEA said that both sides discussed expanding cooperation in priority sectors, including healthcare, infrastructure, digitalisation, agriculture, education, tourism, and capacity building.
India reiterated its commitment through enhanced ITEC training slots, particularly for defence training from 6 to 34 slots. They also discussed capacity building with ICCR scholarships, and digital learning platforms such as E-Vidyabharati and iGOT Karmyogi.
Jaishankar also highlighted growing people-to-people ties, noting the popularity of yoga and Ayurveda in Jamaica and the contribution of the Indian diaspora to the country’s development.
During the visit, Jaishankar visited the Indian Arrival Memorial at Old Harbour and, along with PM Holness, jointly unveiled a plaque for the India-gifted electronic scoreboard at Sabina Park.
He announced a contribution of two million Jamaican dollars towards celebrations marking 181 years of the arrival of Indians in Jamaica on India Heritage Day.
According to the website of the High Commission of India in Kingston, Jamaica has an Indian diaspora of around 70,000 people whose forefathers came mostly from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar as indentured labour between 1845 and 1917. Some also came from South India.
The diaspora constitutes around 3 per cent of Jamaica’s population and continues to nurture an abiding interest in Indian culture, music, dance and history, serving as a cultural bridge between the two countries. May 10 is observed as India Heritage Day in Jamaica.
Jaishankar also interacted with the business community and members of the Indian diaspora and participated in a public conversation at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus.
“Emphasised that as we all diversify and seek reliable partners, the imperative to deepen India-Jamaica business ties is that much stronger,” he said in a social media post, noting that the potential for bilateral and regional economic cooperation should be “explored more vigorously”.
He also appreciated Industry Minister Aubyn Hill for convening the interaction with business leaders.
“The visit marks an important milestone in further strengthening India-Jamaica relations and enhancing bilateral and regional cooperation,” the MEA said.
Jaishankar arrived in Kingston on Saturday, marking the first leg of his nine-day tour of Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, aimed at further strengthening India’s strategic and cultural ties with the Caribbean nations.