Jaishankar Meets Jamaican Counterpart, Emphasizes Boosting Economic Cooperation

Kingston: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held wide-ranging discussions with his Jamaican counterpart Kamina J Smith and senior ministers, reviewing bilateral cooperation across sectors and calling for stronger economic ties between the two countries.

Jaishankar, who arrived in Kingston on Saturday, is on the first leg of his nine-day three-nation tour to Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago to further strengthen India's strategic and cultural ties with the Caribbean nations.

In a social media post, Jaishankar said he met Foreign Minister Smith and other Cabinet members on Monday for an "in-depth review" of the India-Jamaica partnership.

"Discussed taking forward our ties in education and health, agriculture and digital, tourism, sports and entertainment, infrastructure, capacity building, and multilateral issues," he said.

Later in the day, the minister interacted with Jamaica's industry and business leaders, underlining the need to deepen economic engagement as countries diversify partnerships globally.

"Emphasised that as we all diversify and seek reliable partners, the imperative to deepen India-Jamaica business ties is that much stronger," Jaishankar said in another social media post, noting that the potential for bilateral and regional economic cooperation should be "explored more vigorously".

He also appreciated Industry Minister Aubyn Hill for convening the interaction with business leaders.