Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received the Dominica Commonwealth's highest national honour, the Dominica Award of Honour.
President Silvaney Burton bestowed the award upon Prime Minister Modi in acknowledgment of his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and his commitment to enhancing relations between India and Dominica.
Expressing gratitude on receiving the prestigious award, Prime Minister Modi said, "This honour is not only mine but 140 crore people of India, his efforts, his values and his tradition.
" We are two democracies and together we are role models of women empowerment for the world. It is a matter of great satisfaction that we were able to help the people of Dominica during a pandemic like COVID-19. "
This honour is a result of the long-standing history of cooperation between India and Dominica. Prime Minister Modi also met Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt in Georgetown for bilateral talks during his visit to Guyana.
The meeting highlighted India's commitment to foster strong ties with Caribbean countries. India and Dominica have maintained cordial diplomatic relations since 1981, with the two countries having several high-level exchanges.
PM Modi and PM Skerritt first met during the India-CARICOM Leaders' Meeting in New York in 2019. This relationship has been marked by continued cooperation on several initiatives, including India's support to Dominica during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For example, India's Vaccine Maitri initiative saw the donation of 70,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines to Dominica in 2021. Additionally, India has been proactive in supporting Dominica's development.
Through the India-UNDP project in Kalinago, India has provided USD 1 million to strengthen sustainable livelihoods in the Kalinago community. India has also committed an additional USD 1 million for the second phase of the Community Resilience Project in 2024.
The Indian community in Dominica, consisting of approximately 500 individuals of Indian descent, significantly contributes to strengthening cultural and economic relations between India and Dominica.
This expatriate group is engaged in various sectors, including retail trade, healthcare, and educational institutions like Ross Medical University.
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