KINGSTON, Jamaica — A landmark chapter in Jamaica-India diplomatic relations is set to open this weekend, as Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, prepares to welcome India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar, for the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian External Affairs Minister to the Caribbean nation.
Dr. Jaishankar is slated to touch down at Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport this Saturday, kicking off a three-day itinerary focused on deepening bilateral cooperation across multiple priority sectors. Ahead of the visit, Jamaica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade released an official statement noting that the high-level trip will give both top diplomats a chance to review the current state of bilateral ties and move forward with talks to activate existing Memoranda of Understanding covering three key areas: public health, energy solarisation, and public broadcasting.
Beyond operationalizing these existing agreements, the two sides are also set to explore new and expanded collaboration in high-impact areas including agriculture, digital technology and innovation, tourism, and align on regional and multilateral issues that are of shared interest to both nations.
“This visit builds on the strong foundation between Jamaica and the Republic of India, rooted in history, shared values and a common vision for inclusive and sustainable development. I look forward to welcoming Minister Jaishankar to Kingston as we continue to strengthen the longstanding ties between our countries,” Johnson Smith said in a statement. “It presents an excellent opportunity to translate the strong political will demonstrated by our leaders into tangible outcomes that benefit our peoples.”
Johnson Smith also highlighted that the visit will serve as a key moment for Jamaica’s government and people to formally renew their sincere gratitude to India for the generous relief supplies New Delhi donated in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, and to reaffirm both countries’ shared commitment to advancing long-term economic resilience across the Global South.
Official bilateral talks between Dr. Jaishankar, Johnson Smith, and a select group of Jamaican cabinet ministers are scheduled for Monday, May 4. Following the plenary discussions, the Indian External Affairs Minister will pay a courtesy call on Jamaica’s Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness at Jamaica House, and hold engagements with private sector leaders and other senior Jamaican government officials.
The bilateral relationship between Jamaica and India stretches back more than six decades: the two countries formally established diplomatic relations on August 12, 1962, just months after Jamaica gained its independence. The partnership has gained significant momentum in recent years, starting with Jamaica’s launch of its first resident diplomatic mission in India in September 2020. Earlier this year, the Jamaican High Commission in New Delhi was formally opened during Prime Minister Holness’ official trip to India, which marked the first official visit by a sitting Jamaican head of government to the South Asian nation.