Context: Prime Minister, during the India-CARICOM Summit held in Georgetown, Guyana, introduced a seven-pillar framework to enhance cooperation between India and Caribbean nations.
- He proposed redefining the acronym “CARICOM” to signify key areas of collaboration, reflecting India’s commitment to strengthening ties with the Caribbean Community.
Seven Pillars (acronym “CARICOM“) Proposed by PM:
- Capacity Building:
- Announced 1,000 IT scholarships and proposed a regional forensic centre.
- Expanded India’s technology centre in Belize to include all CARICOM members.
- Online training for civil servants.
- Agriculture and Food Security:
- Shared India’s advancements in agriculture technology like drones.
- Promoted millet cultivation for nutrition and sustainability.
- Renewable Energy and Climate Change:
- Invited CARICOM to join the International Solar Alliance and other global initiatives like the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the Global Biofuel Alliance.
- Innovation and Technology:
- Shared India’s digital payment systems (UPI) and eMarketplace model.
- Proposed collaboration on “Stack” infrastructure to support SMEs.
- Cricket and Culture:
- Offered 11 women’s cricket scholarships for each CARICOM nation.
- Proposed cultural exchanges through Festivals of India and Bollywood film festivals.
- Ocean Economy and Maritime Security:
- Positioned CARICOM as “large ocean countries” with potential for marine resource development.
- Pledged support for maritime security against piracy and trafficking.
- Medicines and Healthcare:
- Shared affordable healthcare solutions via the Janaushadi scheme.
- Proposed telehealth programs and advanced cancer treatment technologies.
- Suggested adopting the Indian Pharmacopeia to reduce healthcare costs.
