India – Commonwealth of Dominica Relations

           India enjoys traditionally cordial bilateral relations with Commonwealth of Dominica since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1981. The Commonwealth of Dominica is concurrently accredited to our Mission in Port of Spain and it does not have a diplomatic Mission in India. 

2. There have been high-level bilateral interactions between the leaders of India and Dominica on the sidelines of multilateral fora. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Mr. Roosevelt Skerrit interacted during the 1st India-CARICOM Leaders’ Summit in September 2019 on the sidelines of UNGA in New York. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit visited India on Oct 25-28, 2024 to participate in NDTV First World Summit in Chandigarh. He was hosted by Minister of State of External Affairs Shri Pabitra Margherita at Hyderabad House, New Delhi for a bilateral meeting.

3. H.E. Sylvanie Burton D.A.H, President of Dominica visited Georgetown, Guyana at the time of 2nd India-CARICOM Summit on November 20, 2024 and conferred on PM Shri Narendra Modi the "Dominica Award of Honour", the highest National Award of Dominica in recognition of PM’s statesmanship and contribution to the Commonwealth of Dominica during the COVID pandemic and his commitment to strengthening India-Dominica ties. PM Roosevelt Skerrit also attended the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit and on the sidelines had a bilateral meeting with PM Shri Narendra Modi. The two leaders explored opportunities for bilateral cooperation in areas such as climate resilience, healthcare, capacity building, deepening of people-to-people ties, cooperation at the UN, etc. 

4. Dr Vince Henderson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy virtually participated in the India-COFCOR Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Georgetown, Guyana on April 21, 2023. He was one of the speakers at the ‘India-UN for Global South: Delivering for Development’ event in New York on Sept 23, 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency, held in the margins of the 78th UNGA. EAM Dr S. Jaishankar and Dr. Vince Henderson co-chaired the India-CARICOM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New York on Sep 27, 2024, on the sidelines of 79th UNGA. 

5. Dr. Cassandra Williams, Minister in the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services attended the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS 2.0) on global issues on Nov 17, 2023. Ms. Octavia Alfred, Minister of Education participated at the Education Ministers' Session at the VoGSS 3.0 on August 17, 2024. As regards bilateral visits, Mrs. Anupriya Patel, Minister of Health & Family Welfare visited Dominica from May 11-12, 2018. During the visit, she called on the President, PM and other leaders of Dominica.

Development Partnership

6. India-UNDP Projects: “Resilient Rehabilitation of Salisbury Educational Facility in Dominica Post-Hurricane Maria” project under India-UNDP Fund of US$ 1 million was granted in 2018 for rehabilitation of the two buildings at the Salisbury Educational Facility that were severely damaged by Hurricane Maria (Sep 2017) was completed in March 2020. A US$ 1 million Project under India-UNDP Fund for “Strengthening Sustainable Livelihoods and Resilience in the Kalinago Community” was launched in Feb 2021 and was accoplished in Jan 2024. Another US$ 1 million project i.e. 2nd phase of the Community Resilience Project in the Kalinago Territory was launched on Dec 19, 2024 and is currently ongoing. 

7. Donation of vaccines and medicines: Under the Vaccine Maitri Initiative, Government of India donated 70,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines to Dominica. The medical supply was handed over to Prime Minister Skeritt who personally received the consignment at the airport on Feb 9, 2021. Medical aid was also donated to Dominica during the pandemic at a virtual ceremony held on Aug 26, 2020. Dr. Irving Mclntyre, the then Minister of Health, Wellness and New Health Investment received the consignment. In 2016, GoI provided medicines under Grant-in-aid scheme to Dominica for their public hospitals. 

8. Capacity Building: GoI has increased the number of annual training slots to 20 for Dominican nationals under the ITEC Programme at various training institutions in India. 

9. Disaster relief: In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017, GoI provided financial support of US$ 1 lakh as immediate relief and granted US$ 1 million for infrastructure re-construction in Dominica under the India-UNDP Fund under which the Salisbury Educational Facility was rehabilitated. In Aug 2015, GOI provided humanitarian assistance of US$ 200,000 to the Dominican Government in the wake of Tropical Storm Erica. India also donated US$ 100,000 in Dec 2011 in the wake of Hurricane Ophelia and humanitarian assistance of US$ 300,000 in December 2013 in the wake of flash floods.

10. Centre for Excellence in IT (CEIT): A MoU was signed between India and Dominica for the setting up of a Centre of Excellence in IT in Dominica in October 2011. The Centre was officially inaugurated in May 2016. It awarded Graduation certificates to successful students in a ceremony organised in June 2017. Around 600 Dominican students received various IT trainings at the Centre. The Centre was closed down due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in September 2017.

Agreements/MOUs

11. An MoU was signed between the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and the Division of Agriculture (DOA), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Dominica for cooperation in the field of education and research in agriculture and allied areas in Oct 2011. An MoU was signed between India and Dominica for setting up an IT Centre for Excellence in Dominica in Oct 2011. Another MoU for Reciprocal Recognition of Covid Vaccination Certificate was signed between India and Dominica on April 8, 2022.

Economic relations

12. Over the last five years, trade volume between India and Dominica has been around USD 2-3 million and has been gradually increasing. In FY 2024-25, there was a substantial hike in the bilateral trade. India’s top items of exports include: Pharmaceutical Products; Vehicles; Ceramic Products; and Iron & Steel. India’s top items of imports include: Iron & Steel; Electrical Machinery & Equipment; Sound Recorders; Pulp of Wood etc.

(Value in US$ millions)

(Source: DGCIS, Kolkata)

Cultural relations

13. A ICCR-sponsored 9-member Percussion Group “Drums of India” led by Shri Jaya Bhaskar Peravali visited Dominica for participation in the Dominica Festival of Arts "DOMFESTA" in May 2012. The group gave performances throughout the country and were honorary guests at the “Night of the Classics' on May 18, 2012. The first ever International Day of Yoga (IDY) was organized in Kalinago Barana Aute with wide participation of local Yoga enthusiasts, Indian diaspora and government officials on 16 June 2024. A cultural and community event was held to promote cultural relations with Indian diaspora at Goodwill Parish Hall, Roseau on 15 June 2024. Mission actively participated in the ‘Flavours of the World Festival’ in Dominica on Sept 29, 2024. 

14. Mission also celebrated the 78th Independence Day in 2024 with great enthusiasm with the Indian Community at Carbits National Park, Portsmouth as well as the Flag Unfurling ceremony on the occasion of the 76th Republic Day in Cabrits National Park, Portsmouth, north of the island of Dominica with active participation of the Indian community and diaspora.

Consular 

15. On May 7, 2021, India and Commonwealth Dominica signed a bilateral agreement for visa free movement of diplomats and officials further consolidating the close relationship between the two countries. The Government of India has approved e-Tourist Visa for citizens of Dominica.

Indian Community

16. Nearly 100 Indian citizens engaged in retail business, medical professionals in Ross Medical University reside in Dominica. Around 200-300 persons of Indian-origin reside in Dominica.

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September 2025