The India-CARICOM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) was held on the sidelines of 81st UNGA in New York on 23rd September 2026. Hon’ble External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar and Hon’ble Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Cooperation of Suriname, Melvin W. J. Bouva, co-chaired the Meeting.
The meeting was a follow up to the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit chaired by Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi and the leaders of CARICOM countries in Guyana in November 2024.
The India-CARICOM FMM was attended by the Hon’ble Foreign Ministers of Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St Vincent and Grenadines, Suriname, St. Lucia, St. Kitts & Nevis, the Hon’ble Finance Minister of Grenada, the Vice Minister of Belize, Minister of State in Office of Prime Minister of Bahamas, Representatives from Antigua & Barbuda, Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti, Dominica, the Secretary-General and the Assistant Secretary-General of the CARICOM.
During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction at the steady progress in cooperation between India and countries of the CARICOM. The two sides held discussions on deepening political engagement; increasing trade and investment; cooperation in Agriculture and Food Security, Digital governance, Climate resilience and Energy cooperation.
CARICOM leaders warmly acknowledged India’s development partnership in the region and the impetus given to fostering South-South cooperation. The two sides discussed mutual cooperation in the international fora. They agreed to continue to work together on global issues such UN reforms, combating climate change as well as counter terrorism and trans-national crimes.
During the meeting, the CARICOM co-chair conveyed the group’s decision to support India’s candidature for UNSC term 2028-29. EAM thanked them for the trust and support and assured that India will be a strong voice of the Global South.
The India-CARICOM Foreign Ministers’ meeting underscored the commitment of the two sides to deepen their relations both in the bilateral and global contexts.