India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will embark on a three-nation tour to Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago from May 2 to May 10, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the visit highlights India’s longstanding historical and cultural ties with these nations, particularly through the presence of Girmitiya communities.
During the tour, Jaishankar is scheduled to meet top leadership in all three countries and hold discussions with his counterparts on bilateral relations as well as key regional and global issues.
The MEA said the visit aims to sustain the momentum of India’s political engagement with the Caribbean region and further strengthen longstanding partnerships, while also reflecting a shared commitment to South-South cooperation and development.
In addition to official meetings, the minister will interact with business leaders and members of the Indian diaspora across the three nations.
India has been actively deepening its engagement with these countries in recent years. In November 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met then Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi on the sidelines of the India-CARICOM Summit, reviewing bilateral ties and exploring avenues for cooperation.
In another outreach initiative, India named a road in New Delhi as “Jamaica Marg” during Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s visit in 2024, symbolising close bilateral relations.
Earlier, during his 2025 visit to Trinidad and Tobago, Modi also announced the extension of Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards up to the sixth generation of the Indian diaspora, underlining New Delhi’s focus on diaspora engagement.
