BISHESHWAR MISHRA / NEW DELHI
India and Jamaica today signed four Memorandum of Understanding in the fields of Digital Public Infrastructure, Cultural Exchange and Sports. These MoUs were exchanged after delegation-level talks held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his visiting Jamaican counterpart Dr Andrew Holness in New Delhi. In a joint press statement,
Prime Minister Modi said that India accords special importance to the visit of the Prime Minister of Jamaica as for the first time Dr. Holness has come on a bilateral visit to India. Mr Modi added that India and Jamaica relations are based on our shared history, democratic values and strong people-to-people ties. Prime Minister Modi further stated that India is ready to share its experience with Jamaica in areas such as Digital Public Infrastructure, small-scale industries, biofuel, innovation, health, education and agriculture. He added that India will move forward on the training and capacity building of the Jamaican Army in the field of defence. Speaking about organized crime, drug trafficking and terrorism, the Prime Minister said that these are the common challenges and both sides agreed to face these challenges together.
Mr Modi said both sides will continue their efforts to ensure global peace and stability. He added that India and Jamaica have a common opinion that reforms are necessary in all global institutions including the United Nations Security Council.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi further informed that the Government of India has decided to name the road in front of the Jamaica High Commission in New Delhi as ‘Jamaica Marg’. He added that India and Jamaica may be separated by vast oceans, but our people, our culture and our history are linked to each other.
In his address, the Prime Minister of Jamaica said that Jamaica values the strong fraternal ties with India since our Independence. He said, that for almost two centuries now, Indians have made their mark in Jamaica, contributing to the development of Jamaica in various spheres, including health, education, information technology and business.
In the morning, Dr Holness paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at his samadhi in Rajghat. He also planted a champa sapling there.
Tomorrow, the Jamaican Prime Minister will visit Varanasi. Dr Holness arrived in New Delhi yesterday on a four-day official visit.