CARICOM backs India for UNSC 2028-29, agrees to deepen economic ties
CARICOM has decided to support India's bid for a non-permanent UNSC seat in 2028-29, with both sides agreeing to expand trade, investment and cooperation.
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations have decided to back India's candidature for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2028-29 term, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.
The decision came at the India-CARICOM Foreign Ministers' Meeting held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 23. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Suriname's Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Cooperation, Melvin W. J. Bouva, co-chaired the talks.
According to the ministry, the CARICOM co-chair conveyed the group's decision to support India's bid for the 2028-29 term. The two sides also reviewed the steady progress in their cooperation and discussed ways to deepen political engagement, increase trade and investment, and work together on agriculture and food security, digital governance, climate resilience and energy.
The meeting followed up on the second India-CARICOM Summit, which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders of CARICOM countries in Guyana in November 2024. CARICOM leaders acknowledged India's development partnership in the region and the momentum it has given to South-South cooperation, the ministry said.
Bilateral trade between India and CARICOM stood at USD 986.86 million in 2023-24, with Indian exports of USD 627.66 million and imports of USD 359.20 million. Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Jamaica and Suriname are among India's major trading partners in the region.
India's main exports to CARICOM include pharmaceuticals, surgical instruments, iron and steel products, textiles and garments, chemicals, electronic goods, vehicle parts, plastics, rubber products, tea, coffee and spices. Its imports from the group are led by mineral fuels and oils, aluminium ores and concentrates, wood products, essential oils and various metal scraps.
The UNSC is the United Nations' principal body responsible for maintaining international peace and security and responding to global crises.