New Delhi, Aug 21 — Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, on Friday attended the Jamaican National Day reception hosted by the High Commission of Jamaica in New Delhi.
"Pleased to attend the Jamaican National Day reception hosted by the High Commission of Jamaica. Conveyed my greetings to the Government and people of Jamaica. Looking forward to continued deepening of our relationship in bilateral and multilateral fora," MoS Margherita stated on X.
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar paid an official visit to Jamaica in May, marking the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian External Affairs Minister to Jamaica.
During the visit, EAM Jaishankar and the Jamaican Prime Minister inaugurated an electronic scoreboard India gifted to Sabina Park, a historic cricket venue in Kingston.
EAM Jaishankar said that 'the India-Jamaica story is written in runs, written in respect, written in friendship.'
EAM Jaishankar also held comprehensive and very substantive talks with his Jamaican counterpart Kamina J. Smith. He said they reviewed the full gamut of India-Jamaica relations. They also identified new avenues to strengthen the partnership further.
During the visit, he announced India’s decision to supply 30 dialysis units, 40 fishing boats with engines, 200 GPS devices, and related equipment to Jamaica. To support the recovery of the Caribbean nation following last year's devastating Hurricane Melissa.
EAM Jaishankar also handed over 10 Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri (BHISHM) emergency medical units to the Caribbean nation.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India and Jamaica signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on health cooperation, solarisation of The Hugh Lawson Shearer Building, and broadcasting.
Both sides also reviewed the implementation status of existing agreements in digital transformation, culture, sports, and digital payments, and emphasised the importance of delivering tangible outcomes.
According to the statement, both sides discussed expanding cooperation in priority sectors, including healthcare, infrastructure, digitalisation, agriculture, education, tourism, and capacity building.
India reiterated its commitment by increasing ITEC training slots, particularly for defence training, from six to 34. They also discussed capacity building with ICCR scholarships and digital learning platforms such as e-VidyaBharati and iGOT Karmyogi.