EAM S. Jaishankar Concludes Caribbean Tour with Signing of Eight Major Agreements 

• India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar wrapped up his two-day visit to Trinidad and Tobago.
• During the visit, both countries signed eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in order to boost cooperation in various domains.
• Both sides expressed their commitment to cooperate in fields such as infrastructural development, healthcare, cybersecurity, forensic studies, and capacity building, among others.
• In addition to the signing of agreements, the visit witnessed the launch of a number of development projects, which are being implemented with Indian assistance.

On May 9th, External Affairs Minister  S. Jaishankar wrapped up his two-day visit to Trinidad and Tobago. During the visit, both countries signed eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in order to boost cooperation in various domains.

These include the tourism sector, health sector, infrastructural projects, renewable energy projects, and traditional medicines. Noteworthy among these is the solarisation of the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs building of Trinidad and Tobago, vector control programs, and the development of Nelson Island, a historically significant place that has a connection with early Indian indentured immigrants. Another MoU is about setting up an Indian Chair on Ayurveda at the University of the West Indies.

EAM Jaishankar held discussions with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and other leaders of Trinidad and Tobago during the visit. They discussed progress made since the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the country in 2025, as well as the future direction of cooperation between India and Trinidad and Tobago. Both sides expressed their commitment to cooperate in fields such as infrastructural development, healthcare, cybersecurity, forensic studies, and capacity building, among others.

In addition to the signing of agreements, the visit witnessed the launch of a number of development projects, which are being implemented with Indian assistance. In the presence of Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar, Jaishankar handed over the first Batch of 2,000 laptops meant for children of various schools. He also inaugurated the Agro Processing Facility constructed with Indian assistance, as well as jointly inaugurated Trinidad and Tobago’s National Prosthetics Centre located in Penal, underlining India’s healthcare cooperation with T & T.

While participating in the bilateral talks, Jaishankar made a point to participate in cultural activities as well. For instance, he visited the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago; his visit was duly recognized thereupon. Besides visiting the monument of Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Cooperation, where he paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi’s statue, he also visited the places of importance for Indian culture, namely Dattatreya Mandir and Hanuman Murti.

In conclusion, the visit gave India-TT relations a “fresh impetus.” This trip was a part of his Caribbean three-nation tour. In addition to TT, he travelled to Suriname and Jamaica. 

Anjali Singh

Anjali Singh is a postgraduate student of Political Science and International Relations, a Social Media Analyst, and a former Research Intern at the Indian Council of World Affairs. Views expressed are the author’s own.