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India minister begins two-day visit

India minister begins two-day visit

From Trinidad Express · (5m ago) English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • India's Minister of External Affairs, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, is on a two-day visit to Trinidad and Tobago to solidify bilateral agreements.
  • The visit includes handing over laptops, launching a National Prosthetics Programme, and touring historical sites.
  • Discussions aim to strengthen ties, particularly in energy and trade, building on previous MoUs signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Trinidad and Tobago is honored to host India's Minister of External Affairs, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, for a significant two-day visit. This engagement underscores the deepening relationship between our nations, building upon the strong foundation laid during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit last year.

Jaishankarโ€™s visit would ensure those agreements are โ€œconcretisedโ€.

โ€” Sean SobersForeign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers explaining the purpose of the Indian minister's visit.

The itinerary is packed with meaningful initiatives, from the handover of essential laptops to the launch of a vital National Prosthetics Programme. These are not mere symbolic gestures, but concrete steps towards enhancing our social and technological infrastructure. The visit also includes engagements at Parliament and historical sites like Nelson Island, reflecting the shared heritage and mutual respect between India and Trinidad and Tobago.

Our bilateral trade has seen a remarkable surge, nearly doubling in the last five years to reach $350 million, with energy emerging as a key pillar. Minister Jaishankar's visit is crucial for 'concretising' the MoUs signed previously and exploring further avenues for economic cooperation. This collaboration is particularly vital in a turbulent global economic climate, where strengthening South-South cooperation offers a path to shared development and prosperity.

In a turbulent world with volatile commodity markets, energy has emerged as a central pillar of our engagement. Its prospects, if anything, have only become brighter.

โ€” Dr Subrahmanyam JaishankarIn an op-ed, the Indian minister highlighted the importance of energy in bilateral engagement.

From Trinidad and Tobago's perspective, this visit is a testament to the growing importance of our relationship with India. It highlights how international partnerships, especially those rooted in shared development goals, can yield tangible benefits for our citizens. The focus on concrete outcomes and economic engagement promises a brighter future, reinforcing our commitment to a robust and mutually beneficial partnership.

Bilateral trade between T&T and India has witnessed a significant uptick, almost doubling in the last five years to now reach a level of US$350 million.

โ€” Dr Subrahmanyam JaishankarIn an op-ed, the Indian minister noted the growth in trade between the two nations.
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Originally published by Trinidad Express. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.