NEW YORK — External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has asserted that India and Caribbean nations must significantly ramp up their collaboration, placing special emphasis on expanding economic partnerships, digital integration, and mobility frameworks.

Speaking at the India-CARICOM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held on the sidelines of the high-level United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, Jaishankar underscored that bilateral solidarity is deeply rooted in a shared history and common developmental hurdles.

Taking to social media platform X, Jaishankar noted, "Emphasised that we must further deepen our ties, especially in economic, digital and mobility domains."

The minister pointed out that several Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and Quick Impact Projects have already been successfully concluded across multiple Caribbean countries, while others remain actively underway. Highlighting India's steadfast developmental partnership, Jaishankar shared that New Delhi has extended critical medical and humanitarian assistance—including organizing artificial limb fitment camps, gifting haemodialysis units, and deploying advanced, compact BHISHM Cube medical units to CARICOM partners.

On the energy front, Jaishankar highlighted India's robust push toward solarisation across the CARICOM region. He formally invited member states to explore joining the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Global Biofuels Alliance to bolster sustainable development. Additionally, he urged Caribbean partners to leverage India-provided training slots and customized capacity-building programs tailored to their specific national interests.

Beyond the Caribbean engagement, Jaishankar maintained a packed diplomatic schedule in New York. He met with Netherlands Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen to discuss the Ukraine conflict and review deliverables from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's earlier visit. He also held talks with Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen concerning geopolitical and technological challenges, and met Slovenia’s Foreign Minister Tone Kajzer to talk trade, manufacturing, and energy cooperation ahead of the upcoming India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Discussions on Artificial Intelligence, climate change, and multilateral coordination also marked his interaction with Andorra's Foreign Minister Imma Tor Faus.