Jaishankar visits Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad from May 2-10
Synopsis
EAM Jaishankar's nine-day Caribbean tour is more than a diplomatic courtesy call — it is India's most significant outreach to CARICOM in recent years, anchored in the shared Girmitiya heritage that binds millions of Indo-Caribbean descendants to the subcontinent. The visit signals New Delhi's intent to convert cultural ties into concrete South-South partnerships.
Key Takeaways
Jaishankar is on an official visit to Jamaica , Suriname , and Trinidad and Tobago from 2 to 10 May 2025 .
The visit aims to boost South-South cooperation and strengthen India's longstanding ties with the three CARICOM member states.
All three countries share a deep connection with India through Girmitiya communities — descendants of Indian indentured labourers who migrated in the mid to late 19th century .
Jaishankar will meet heads of government, hold talks with counterparts, and engage with Indian diaspora leaders and business communities.
Last month, Jaishankar welcomed the opening of the High Commission of St Kitts and Nevis in India and praised CARICOM nations' participation in the International Solar Alliance .
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is undertaking an official visit to Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago from 2 to 10 May, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Saturday. The tour is aimed at deepening bilateral ties and advancing South-South cooperation with three nations that share a historically rooted connection with India through their Girmitiya communities.
What the Visit Covers
According to the MEA, Jaishankar will meet with the leadership of all three countries and hold talks with his counterparts covering the full range of bilateral relations, as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest. He is also expected to engage with prominent business leaders and members of the Indian diaspora in each country.
The MEA stated that the visit is "envisaged to continue the momentum of India's political engagements with Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago and boost our longstanding and friendly relations with these countries, reflecting mutual commitment to South-South cooperation and development."
The Girmitiya Connection
The three nations hold a special place in India's diaspora diplomacy. Girmitiyas were Indian indentured labourers who left India during the mid to late 19th century to work in British colonies, where many eventually settled permanently. The term Girmit is a colloquial mispronunciation of the word agreement — the contract under which these labourers migrated. Their descendants today form significant communities across the Caribbean and Suriname, providing a cultural and historical bridge between India and these nations.
India–CARICOM Ties in Focus
All three countries — Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago — are members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), making the visit significant for India's broader engagement with the regional bloc. Last month, Jaishankar welcomed the opening of the High Commission of St Kitts and Nevis in India, calling the resident presence invaluable in strengthening bilateral ties. He also congratulated St Kitts and Nevis on assuming the chairmanship of CARICOM in January 2025 and expressed appreciation for the country's active participation in the International Solar Alliance.
Broader Strategic Context
This visit is part of India's sustained effort to strengthen ties with the Global South, a foreign policy priority that has gained momentum under the current government. India and the CARICOM nations have been aligning on multilateral platforms, including climate action frameworks and South-South development initiatives. Notably, this engagement comes at a time when India is actively expanding its diplomatic footprint across regions that were historically underserved by New Delhi's outreach. The visit is expected to lay the groundwork for future cooperation in areas such as trade, digital connectivity, and capacity building.
Point of View
India's window to convert diaspora sentiment into strategic partnerships is narrowing. The CARICOM bloc, small in GDP but significant in multilateral voting blocs, deserves a more permanent diplomatic architecture than periodic ministerial visits.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is EAM Jaishankar visiting in May 2025?
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is visiting Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago from 2 to 10 May 2025. The visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and advancing South-South cooperation with these three CARICOM member states.
Why does India have special ties with Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago?
These countries are home to large Girmitiya communities — descendants of Indian indentured labourers who migrated to British colonies in the mid to late 19th century. This shared heritage forms a strong cultural and historical foundation for India's diplomatic relations with these nations.
What is the Girmitiya connection?
Girmitiyas were Indian indentured labourers who left India under contract — the word Girmit being a mispronunciation of 'agreement' — to work in British colonies. Their descendants settled across the Caribbean and Suriname and maintain strong cultural links with India.
What is CARICOM and why does it matter to India?
CARICOM, the Caribbean Community, is a regional bloc of which Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago are all members. Strengthening ties with CARICOM nations is part of India's broader Global South engagement strategy, including cooperation on climate action and multilateral platforms.
What did Jaishankar say about St Kitts and Nevis recently?
Last month, Jaishankar welcomed the opening of the High Commission of St Kitts and Nevis in India and congratulated the country on assuming the CARICOM chairmanship in January 2025. He also expressed appreciation for St Kitts and Nevis' participation in the International Solar Alliance.
