FAQ

This is the first visit of any President of India to Jamaica

Tags: International Relations

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, arrived in Kingston, Jamaica on the first leg of his two-Caribbean tour from May 15 to 21, where he was received by the Governor General of Jamaica, His Excellency Sir Patrick Allen, the Prime Minister of Jamaica, His Excellency Andrew Holness.

• This is the first visit by any President of India to Jamaica, which is taking place 60 years after the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

• On May 16, 2022, the President began his program with a visit to the National Heroes Park in Kingston. There he paid tribute to Marcus Garvey.

• President Mr. Kovind reached King's House, the official residence of the Governor General of Jamaica, and called on the Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen.

• The President noted that despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a steady increase in bilateral trade and economic and commercial exchanges between India and Jamaica.

Trade prospects between the two countries:

• There is immense potential for trade and investment, especially in information technology (IT) and IT efficient services, medicine, pharma sector, education, capacity building, tourism, hospitality industry, agriculture and infrastructure projects.

Important Fact: 

• On the development and education partnership between the two countries, the President said that in this development journey, India is determined to share its experience, knowledge and skills with its developing partner countries like Jamaica.

• The activities of our development partnership are deeply rooted in the concept of South-South cooperation and are based on the principles of voluntary partnership in line with the national priority of our partners.

• India welcomes Jamaica's interest in opening a branch of any Indian educational institution in one of its universities.

• The President and Prime Minister Holnesse witnessed the signing and exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding for Diplomatic Training between the Sushma Swaraj Foreign Service Institute (SSFSI) and the Jamaican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

• This MoU will facilitate training and academic activities for Jamaican Foreign Service officers in SSFSI.

• The President inaugurated Ambedkar Avenue in Downtown Kingston.

• The President inaugurated the India-Jamaica Friendship Garden at Hope Botanical Garden in Kingston.

• He planted a sandalwood plant in the presence of Lady Allen, the First Lady of Jamaica.

• On the occasion, the President presented a cricket kit to the Jamaica Cricket Association, which was received by the President of the Association, Mr. Billy Haven.

Jamaica:

• Capital: Kingston

• Currency: Jamaican dollar

• Head of State: Sir Patrick Allen (Governor General of Jamaica)

• Prime Minister: Andrew Holness

• Jamaica is a part of the North American continent within the Caribbean Islands.