PM Modi holds talks with Jamaican counterpart Holness, signs four pacts | External Affairs Defense Security News

Modi said he and Holness also discussed regional and global issues and agreed that all tensions and differences should be resolved through talks and both sides would continue to work towards ensuring global peace and security .

The prime minister's comments come amid growing tensions in West Asia and conflict in Ukraine.

Modi said the India-Jamaica partnership is characterized by the four Cs: Culture, Cricket, Commonwealth and CARICOM.

CARICOM (Caribbean Community) is a group of 20 island nations that are home to approximately 16 million people.

“India and Jamaica may be separated by vast oceans, but our minds, cultures and histories are deeply connected,” Modi said with Holness at his side.

The Prime Minister said the people who migrated from India to Jamaica almost 180 years ago laid a strong foundation of people-to-people connections.

“Today, the nearly 70,000 people of Indian origin who call Jamaica home are a living example of our shared heritage,” he said.

Holness arrived here on Monday. This is the first ever bilateral visit by a Jamaican Prime Minister to India.

The four pacts would provide for cooperation in the areas of digital public infrastructure, cultural exchanges and sport.

At a press conference, Secretary (East) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jaideep Mazumdar, said the memorandum of understanding between NPCI International Payments Ltd and Egov Jamaica would provide a platform to explore the integration of Indian UPI and Jamaica's existing digital payment system.

In a special gesture, India named a road in the national capital 'Jamaica Marg', which was inaugurated by Holness.

“In today's meeting, we discussed strengthening our cooperation across all sectors and identified several new initiatives. Trade and investment between India and Jamaica is growing,” Modi said.

“India has always been a reliable and committed development partner in Jamaica's development journey. All our efforts in this direction have been centered on the needs of the Jamaican people,” he said.

The Prime Minister identified organized crime, drug trafficking and terrorism as challenges common to both countries.

“We are ready to share our experience with Jamaica in areas such as digital public infrastructure, small-scale industries, biofuels, innovation, health, education and agriculture,” he said. declared.

“We will move forward in training and building the capacity of the Jamaican military in the defense domain,” he said, adding that India would also be happy to share with Jamaica its successful experience in the defense sector. space sector.

Modi said he and Holness also discussed several global and regional issues.

“We agree that all tensions and differences must be resolved through dialogue. We will continue our efforts together to ensure global peace and stability,” he said.

“India and Jamaica agree that it is imperative to reform all global institutions, including the United Nations Security Council. We will continue to work together to modernize these institutions,” he added.

Modi also spoke about the cricketing ties between the two countries.

“As cricket-loving nations, sport forms a very strong and important bond in our relationship. Whether it is the legendary fast bowling of Courtney Walsh or the fiery hitting of Chris Gayle, Indians have a special affection for Jamaican cricketers,” he said. said.

“We also discussed deepening our cooperation in the sports field. I am confident that the results of today's discussions will propel our relationship at a pace faster than Usain Bolt, enabling us to continually achieve new heights,” he said.

Gayle was present at the lunch hosted by Prime Minister Modi for the Jamaican leader and his delegation.

Holness also met President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

At the press conference, Mazumdar said cricket had emerged as a natural topic of discussion in all the meetings.

First publication: October 1, 2024 | 9:58 p.m. EAST