Jaishankar at Baba and Mai monument

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar paid homage at the Baba and Mai monument in Paramaribo on 6 May 2026, acknowledging the contributions of Indian indentured labourers to Suriname's development.

The Baba and Mai monument commemorates the indentured labourers from India who arrived in Suriname during the colonial era, establishing communities that remain integral to the nation's cultural and economic identity.

Jaishankar's visit to Paramaribo underscores India's commitment to strengthening diplomatic and cultural ties with Suriname, particularly through recognition of shared heritage and the Indian diaspora's role in regional development.

The tribute at the monument reflects India's recognition of the Hindustani diaspora in Suriname, whose ancestors migrated as contract labourers and built thriving communities that continue to maintain cultural and linguistic ties to their homeland.