India - Grenada Relations
Historical Perspective:
India enjoys traditionally cordial relations with Grenada. Grenada, which comprises the islands of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique, is popularly referred to as the ‘Spice Island’. It has a land area of 133 sq. miles and a population of approximately 109,500. Relationship between India and Grenada goes back to 01 May 1857 when the first ship ‘Maidstone’ carrying 287 Indian indentured workers reached the shores of Grenada, then a British colony. More than 3000 Indo-Grenadians reside in Grenada. Grenada is concurrently accredited to our Mission in Port of Spain and it does not have a diplomatic Mission in India. When Grenada was affected by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, India provided relief assistance in terms of emergency medical supplies and roofing material etc.
CARICOM Summit
2. Grenada and other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states are offered to receive one million dollars each from India for quick impact, community development projects. This comes as India’s Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi met with CARICOM Leaders on September 25, 2019 on the margins of the United National General Assembly in New York. Acknowledging the threat Caribbean islands face due to rising sea levels and increasingly intense hurricanes, Prime Minister Mr. Modi also announced a line of credit of US$ 150 million for climate change related projects in CARICOM countries.
3. PM Modi also promised collaboration on disaster resilient infrastructure to enable the infrastructure in Caribbean countries to better withstand disasters. This announcement has been welcomed by all CARICOM leaders. During the meeting, PM Dr, Mitchell, who led Grenada’s delegation to the meeting stated that India is a long-time friend and formidable ally in the regions development process and the CARICOM is immensely grateful for the support provided in the past and welcomes this new aid.
Visits:
4. No high-level official bilateral visits have taken place between the two countries so far. However, Prime Minister of Grenada Dr. Keith Mitchell visited India from 26-30 July, 2006 in connection with preparations for the Cricket World Cup 2007 held in West Indies. During the visit, PM Mitchell paid a courtesy call on Hon’ble Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on 29 July, 2006.
5. MOS (Health & Family Welfare) Smt. Anupriya S. Patel visited Grenada on May 13-14, 2018. During the visit, she called on the Governor General, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Health Minister of Grenada and discussed mutual areas of interest to enhance overall cooperation between the two countries. Minister of Foreign and Labourof Grenada Mr. Peter David visited India in September 2019 and held a meeting with the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Mr. Vijay Rupani on 12th September, 2019. He offered of signing an MoU between two states and institutionalizing bilateral exchange of visits of Chambers of Commerce. He also expressed his interest in appointing Honorary Consul of Grenada in Gujarat to establish direct contact with the State of Gujarat.
6. On April 29, 2020 Hon’ble External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar held tele-talks with Grenadian Foreign Minister Mr. Peter David regarding the issue of covid19 pandemic, and discussed matters of health cooperation and development partnership.
7. The Medical aid donated by the Government of India for the people and Government of Grenada to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, was formally handed over by Shri Arun Kumar Sahu, High Commissioner of India with concurrent accreditation to Grenada at a virtual ceremony at a virtual ceremony held on August 27, 2020. Foreign Minister of Grenada Mr. Peter Charles David received the consignment. Health Minister Mr. Steele, Grenada’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shawn Charles, Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Francis Martin and India’s Honorary Consul Ms. Shadel Compton were also present during the ceremony.
Ministerial level Virtual Meet
8. A virtual meeting between Grenada’s Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Forestry, Hon. Charles David, with Hon’ble Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of India MOS(AFW) Mr. Parshottam Rupala was held on 27 May 2021, under the patronage of High Commissioner of India in PoS. Hon. David expressed his interest in improving agricultural techniques to produce healthy and safe food, besides providing job opportunities. Hon’ble MOS(AFW) of India, Mr. Rupala assured to be the fulcrum for furthering cooperation. Indian side highlighted the pioneering work done by ICAR and offered training programmes for assisting Grenada. Both sides agreed to work together on the highlighted need for sharing techniques in rice production, LOC facilities, aligning positions at FAO, UNGA and other fora. Grenada’s Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Forestry, Hon. Charles David invited MoS (A&FM) of India to visit Grenada.
Agreements / MoUs between India and Grenada:
9. A MoU between GOI and Government of Grenada for setting up an ICT Centre for Excellence and Innovations at Grenada was signed in October, 2008.
An agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of Grenada on exemption from visa requirement for holders of Diplomatic and Official passports was signed on 6th February, 2020. From the side of Government of India, Mr. Arun Kumar Sahu, High Commissioner of India and from the side of Government of Commonwealth of Dominica, Hon. Charles Peter David, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Grenada, signed the agreement.
Bilateral Cooperation:
10.Capacity Building: India has been contributing to the capacity building of Grenada by providing training to its personnel at various training institutions in India under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme. The Government of India has recently increased the number of annual training slots from 5 to 10 for Grenadian nationals. These slots are mostly utilized in the fields of improving ICT skills, management and training in SMEs.
11.Infrastructure Development Projects: On the request of the Government of Grenada, the Government of India has agreed to fund the following two infrastructure development projects – i) Construction of Union Community Centre in the Parish of St. Marks costing of US$610,074/-; and ii) Belle Vue Road costing of US$291,723/-. The contracts have recently been awarded to local contractors by the Government of Grenada. Twenty per cent of the approved cost in respect of each of these projects has been paid to Grenada as advance for construction of the project and the matter is being pursued for early implementation of these.
12.Bell VueRoad Phase Two project: Consequent upon the completion of the Bellevue Road Project, Government of Grenada requested for financial assistance for Phase Two of the Bellevue Road Project. This phase will see 0.75 miles of road reconstructed, which will connect the Bellevue Community with the Mt. Moritz community consists of farmers and other small businessmen. This is in PM's constituency. Proposal is under consideration.
13.ICT Centre for Excellence & Innovation in Grenada: Following the signing of a MoU in October 2008 between GOI and the Government of Grenada for setting up of an ICT Centre for Excellence & Innovation in St. George’s at Industrial Development Corporation, an autonomous government body, at an estimated cost of US$ 0.8 million, the Centre was officially opened by the Prime Minister of Grenada on 15 April 2011 under ITEC programme. At the request of the High Commissioner, the Centre has been shifted to T.A. Marryshow Community College in February 2016.
Economic Relations:
14. India exports mainly pharmaceutical products, automobiles, readymade garments, textiles and home furnishings, machinery, Iron & Steel products etc. to Grenada, while Grenada’s exports mainly comprise of scrap metals and plastic articles. Bilateral trade between India and Grenada during 2019-20 amounted to US$3.27 million. Given the distance and small size of Grenada market, volume of our bilateral trade is comparatively small. For the period 2019-20, India’s exports to Grenada were US$2.79 million while Grenada’s exports to India were US$ 0.48 million.
Culture:
15. Indian cultural troupes have been visiting Grenada for several years, particularly during the celebration of Indian Arrival Day and Phagwa/Holi. High Commission in cooperation with the Indo-Caribbean Cultural Centre, Indian Cultural Organization (Grenada) and Indo-Grenada Heritage Foundation will be organizing an International Conference on the “Indian Diaspora in Grenada and the Wider Caribbean” from 29th April to 1st May, 2016 coinciding with the Indian Arrival month. The Conference will be inaugurated by Prime Minister of Grenada Dr. Keith Mitchell. The event will be followed by an Indian Food Festival. Last year also High Commission in cooperation with the Indo-Grenada Heritage Foundation organized a 3-day food and cultural festival in Grenada from 30th May to 1st June 2015 coinciding with the Indian Arrival month. The main event was highly acclaimed and was attended by the Prime Minister and three of his Cabinet Ministers in addition to several high-ranking officials and former PM. A 9-member Mewasi Folk dance troupe from Gujarat visited Grenada in March 2013 and gave a number of dance performances.
16. Mahatma Gandhi’s contribution to peace and non-violence has been one of the greatest landmarks of contemporary history. A bust of Mahatma Gandhi was installed in January 2013 in the Mac Donald College in the northern part of the island (St. Patrick’s Parish). The Mission has been actively engaged in disseminating awareness about Gandhiji’s life and philosophy primarily among educational institutions in Grenada through distribution of books and films.
17.Visa waiver for Indian nationals:As per the May 2011 revised Visa Exemption list, the Government of Grenada has waived visa requirement for Indian nationals visiting Grenada for tourism and business purposes for a period of three months. The Government of India has approved e-Tourist Visa for citizens of Grenada.
18. Indian Community:There is a small Indian community in Grenada comprising of businessmen who deal in general merchandise and small-scale trading activities. There are nearly 3000 Indo-Grenadians in Grenada who are represented in the Indo-Grenada Heritage Foundation (IGHF). There are also a few professionals and academics who teach at the St. George’s University of Grenada, besides a fairly large Indo-American Student Community who constitute the PIO community. The IGHF was instrumental in observing 1st May as Indian Arrival Day (IAD). Since the last 5 years IAD is being celebrated by the Foundation who have named the road leading to the site of the first Indians' arrival as 'Maidstone Road' after the first ship 'Maidstone' which brought Indian indentured workers to Grenada and raised a commemorative plaque.
June 2021
