NEW DELHI: On the sidelines of the Second India-CARICOM Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held productive discussions with the Prime Ministers of Saint Lucia, Barbados, Bahamas & Antigua and Barbuda.

He met Prime Minister of Saint Lucia Philip J. Pierre and discussed bilateral cooperation in a range of issues including capacity building, education, health, renewable energy, cricket and yoga. PM Pierre appreciated Prime Minister’s seven point plan to strengthen India- CARICOM partnership.

Both leaders highlighted the importance of collaboration in addressing the challenges posed by climate change, with a particular focus on strengthening disaster management capacities and resilience in small island nations.

PM Modi also met with the Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley. The high-level engagement provided an opportunity for both leaders to reaffirm and strengthen the bilateral relationship between India and Barbados.

The leaders reviewed ongoing cooperation across several key areas including health, Pharma, climate change action, culture and people to people ties. PM Mottley expressed appreciation for India’s leadership of the Global South. The two leaders also exchanged views on reform of global institutions.

He also met with Prime Minister of Bahamas Philip Davis. This was the first ever meeting between the two Prime Ministers.Both leaders had fruitful and productive discussions on economic cooperation, green partnership and people to people ties. Both leaders expressed satisfaction at the steady progress in the Abaco Hurricane Shelter Project being implemented by UNDP with USD 1 milllion assistance from India.

PM Modi met Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne. They discussed bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade and investment and capacity building for SIDS. PM Browne appreciated Prime Minister’s seven point plan to strengthen India-CARICOM partnership. He reiterated support for India’s permanent membership of the UN Security Council.