India - Grenada Relations

The 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, from which it gained independence in 1974. A total of 3,200 Indians arrived in Grenada between 1857 and 1885. A total of 302 Indians choose to repatriate to India, after indentureship came to an end in 1890. The remaining stayed back in Grenada and assimilated into the society.

2. India enjoys traditionally cordial relations with Grenada. India established diplomatic relations with Grenada on 01 October 1975. Grenada is concurrently accredited to our Mission in Port of Spain. Mr. Pasupuleti Gita Kishore Kumar, has been appointed as Non-resident High Commissioner of Grenada to India.

Exchange of visits

3. Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh when he visited India in connection with the preparation for the Cricket World Cup 2007 in West Indies from 26-30 July 2006.

4. Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi interacted with Prime Minister of Grenada Dr Keith Mitchell during India-CARICOM Summit on the margins of the UNGA in New York in September 2019. External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar held tele-talks with Foreign Minister Mr. Peter David regarding Covid-19 pandemic, and discussed matters of health cooperation and development partnership (29 April 2020). External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met with Mr. Joseph Andall, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade & Export Development on the sidelines of India-COFCOR Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Georgetown, Guyana (21 April 2023).

5. Minister of Foreign and Labour Mr. Peter David visited Gujarat and met Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Vijay Rupani (12 September 2019); MoS Health & Family Welfare Smt. Anupriya S. Patel called on the Governor General, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, Foreign Minister and Health Minister during her visit to Grenada from 13-14 May 2018; MoS Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri. Parshottam Rupala had a virtual meeting with Grenada’s Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Forestry Mr. Charles David (27 May 2021).

6. Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs and Textiles Shri Pabitra Margherita paid an Official Visit to Grenada from October 03-05, 2024. On 04 October, MoS witnessed the Ceremonial Opening of the 3^rd Session of the Eleventh Parliament of Grenada. Thereafter, he had a meeting with Hon. Mr Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada at the Parliament. They discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations in the areas of digital transformation, ICT, development partnership, capacity building, and pharmaceuticals, as well as discussed India-CARICOM relations, and other international issues of mutual interest. At the Parliament premises, MoS interacted with Her Excellency Dame Cécile La Grenade, Governor-General of Grenada, Hon. Leo Cato, Speaker of House of Representatives and Senator The Honourable Dr Dessima D Williams, President of the Senate, and several other dignitaries. MoS held wide-ranging discussion with Hon. Mr. Joseph Andall, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Export Development of Grenada on the entire gamut of bilateral relations on 03 October. MoS interacted with the Indian Diaspora in Grenada at a function organized at the Grenada Trade Centre on 04 October 2024.

7. Bilateral exchanges have increased since 2023. Minister for Climate Resilience, Environment and Renewable Energy Ms. Kerryne Z. James led a two-member delegation to the 6^th Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Meeting in New Delhi (30 October – 01 November 2023); Minister for Mobilization, Implementation and Transformation Mr. Andy Williams led a two-member delegation to the 9^th CII India-LAC Conclave in New Delhi (3-5 August 2023); Minister for Health, Wellness and Religious Affairs Mr. Gayton Jonathan LaCrette participated in the Health Ministers’ Virtual Session of the Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS) 1.0 (13 January 2023); and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade & Export Development Mr. Joseph Andall, participated in the Foreign Ministers' Session at the Virtual Session of VOGSS 3.0 (17 August 2024).

Development partnership

8. Quick Impact Projects: At the request of the Government of Grenada, India has fully funded two infrastructure development projects in Grenada: (i) Construction of Union Community Centre in the Parish of St. Marks (at a cost of USD 610,075/-) was opened to public in December 2021; (ii) BelleVue Road Project (at a cost of USD 291,723/-) was completed in 2017.

9. ICT Centre for Excellence & Innovation in Grenada: Following the signing of a MoU in October 2008, an ICT Centre for Excellence & Innovation was set up at Industrial Development Corporation, an autonomous government body, in St. George’s, at a cost of USD 0.8 million. The Centre was officially opened by the Prime Minister of Grenada Mr. Tillman Thomas on 15 April 2011. CDAC deputed 3 experts for training for 2 years till 2013 and then the Centre was handed over to the Government of Grenada. Later, it was shifted to T.A. Marryshow Community College in February 2016, and is running on a no-cost extension basis presently.

10. New incinerator for the General hospital project: The project, supported with a grant of US$ 1 Lakh under India-UNDP Fund, aims to install an incinerator for disposal of bio-medical waste. This is part of PM’s announcements on 25 September 2019 following his meeting with CARICOM leaders in New York. Major part of the project has been completed. The project has been running on no-cost extension basis presently.

11. Capacity Building: India has been contributing to the capacity building of Grenada under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme. In 2023, the number of annual training slots were increased from 10 to 15 in the fields of improving ICT skills, management and training in SMEs.

12. Humanitarian assistance: During Hurricane Ivan in 2004, India provided emergency relief including medical supplies and roofing material. Indian also donated medical aid including Covid-19 vaccines to Grenada during the pandemic in 2020.

Economic relations

13. For FY 2023-24, Indian exports amounted to USD 4.40 million, while imports stood at USD 1.91 million. Top items of Indian exports include vehicles; pharmaceuticals; Iron and Steel; tobacco; apparels etc. Top items of Indian imports include coffee, tea, mate, spices; electrical machinery and equipment; Copper; Iron and Steel etc.

(Value in US$ millions)

(Source: DGCIS, Kolkata)

Cultural relations

14. Indian Arrival Day (01 May) and Phagwa/Holi are celebrated widely in Grenada. In cooperation with Indo-Caribbean Cultural Centre, Indian Cultural Organization (Grenada) and Indo-Grenada Heritage Foundation (IGHF), Mission has organized events such as International Conference on the “Indian Diaspora in Grenada and the Wider Caribbean” (29 April-1 May 2016); Indian Arrival Day (01 May 2022) in St. George’s attended by Governor General Dame Cécile Le Grenada; and Indian Arrival Day (01 May 2023) attended by Mr. Dennis Cornwall, Minister of Finance and Mr. Ron Redhead, Minister for Youth, Sports and Culture.

15. On the 75^th Foundation Day of ICCR, Mission organized a cultural event in Grenada on 02 April 2024, with performances by a folk Bhojpuri group led by Shri Bhola Pandey, an ICCR-sponsored group at the Grenada Red Cross Society, St. George’s. ICCR Foundation Day was celebrated for the first time in Grenada. It was attended by Mr. Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada. Mr. Lennox j. Andrews, Minister of Economic Development, Planning, Tourism, ICT, Creative Economy, Agriculture and Lands, Fisheries & Cooperatives, also attended. For the first time, Mission organized International Day of Yoga at the Quarantine Point in Grenada on June 23, 2024.

16. A bust of Mahatma Gandhi was installed in MacDonald College in January 2013. The road leading to the site of the first Indians' arrival has been named as 'Maidstone Road' after the first ship which brought Indian indentured workers to Grenada and a commemorative plaque has been raised at that site where Indians arrived - Irwin’s Bay, St Patrick, northern part of the island of Grenada.

17. Mission, in collaboration with Indian diaspora, celebrated India's 78^th Independence Day at Tempe Playing Field, Grenada on 15 August 2024. Foreign Minister Mr. Joseph Andall graced the occasion as the Chief Guest along with Minister of Health, Wellness & Religious Affairs Mr. Philip A. Telesford, and Senator Salim Rahaman. Mission organized the first ever celebration of Gandhi Jayanti in Grenada, at Grenada Trade Centre, St Georges’ on 02 October 2024. Dr. Pradeep Singh Rajpurohit, High Commissioner of India to Grenada, former Minister Mr. Kenny Lal Singh, Mr. Gita Kishore Kumar Pasupuleti, HC-designate of Grenada to India and Amb. Aaron Moses, Grenada's Amb to CARICOM offered floral tributes to Gandhi ji., and his favorite Bhajans were performed on the occasion.

Indian Community

18. There are over 12,000 Indo-Grenadians, which is around 11% of Grenada's total population. This includes people of Indian and Mixed-Indian descent who are businessmen, professionals, academics, and Indian American students. Around 700-800 Indian citizens reside in Grenada, comprising small-scale businessmen, professionals and academics who teach at the St. George’s University (SGU) of Grenada.

Consular

19. Since May 2011, Grenada has waived visa requirement for Indian nationals visiting Grenada for tourism and business purposes for a period of three months. Since 2014, Government of India has approved e-Tourist Visa for citizens of Grenada for visits up to 90 days.

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October 2024