External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has kicked off a nine-day visit to the Caribbean, with his first stop in Jamaica.
The tour will then take him to Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. The idea is to give a fresh push to India’s long-standing ties in the region and deepen cooperation across the Global South.
Pleased to arrive in Kingston for my first visit to Jamaica.
Touched by the warm welcome extended by Foreign Minister @kaminajsmith.
Look forward to engaging with the Jamaican leadership, business community, and members of the Indian diaspora over the next two days. pic.twitter.com/mDLLxJEtId
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 2, 2026
The trip, running from May 2 to May 10, also reflects India’s growing focus on building stronger partnerships beyond traditional power blocs. On the way, Jaishankar made a brief stop in Zurich before heading to the Caribbean.
Strengthening 'Girmitiya' connections
At the heart of the visit is a shared history. These countries have strong links to India through the Girmitiya communities, also known as the descendants of Indian indentured workers who were taken to the Caribbean generations ago. It’s a connection India is keen to strengthen, both culturally and economically.
During the visit, Jaishankar is expected to hold a series of high-level meetings covering everything from trade and energy to digital infrastructure. There’s also a clear push to keep up the political momentum built through recent engagements with the Caribbean Community (Caricom) bloc.
What are the key objectives of the tour?
Beyond government meetings, the focus is also on business and people-to-people ties. Jaishankar is likely to interact with business leaders to boost investment and meet members of the Indian diaspora in these countries.
Strategically, the timing matters. With India set to host the Brics Foreign Ministers’ Meeting later this month, the visit signals New Delhi’s intent to strengthen alliances across the Global South. Key issues on the table are expected to include climate change, food security, and healthcare, all areas where India has been positioning itself as a key partner, especially through its “Pharmacy of the World” outreach.
