Swaraj for better ties with Caribbean, Latin American nations

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has discussed UN Security Council reforms and coordination on global issues like international terrorism and climate change in her meetings here with leaders of Caribbean and Latin American nations.

Swaraj hosted the India-CARICOM (the Caribbean Community) Foreign Minister’s meeting on Wednesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Swaraj said: “India’s ties with the Caribbean region is historic and civilisational. They share similar concerns and common aspirations for accelerated economic development & eradication of poverty (sic),” MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

The sides reiterated support for the reform of the UN Security Council and Swaraj praised the role of Chair of Inter-Governmental Negotiations Ambassador <g data-gr-id="32">Courtnay</g> Rattray of Jamaica on his work to move forward with text-based negotiations on the reform process.

Swaraj also offered assistance to Caribbean countries in capacity-building, IT, agriculture, pharma, SMEs, and many other areas. CARICOM also welcomed India’s offer to hold a trade promotion event early next year within the region.

Swaraj also attended the India-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Quartet Ministerial Meeting with her counterparts from Ecuador, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Barbados. “Our <g data-gr-id="43">2 way</g> trade with CELAC is $46 billion. We should boost co-op in energy, S&T, healthcare, <g data-gr-id="33">agro chemicals</g> etc,” Swarup tweeted, quoting Swaraj who called for India-CELAC coordination on global issues like global terrorism, climate change and UNSC reform.