New Delhi

Jamaican PM Andrew Holness planted a Champa sapling (Plumeria Alba) at Rajghat during his official visit to India from September 30 to October 3. He was joined by Jamaica’s Foreign Minister, Kamina Johnson Smith, and renowned cricketer Chris Gayle. While at Rajghat, Holness paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, and the Ministry of External Affairs shared this moment on X, honoring Gandhi as the Father of the Nation.

This marks Holness’s first visit to India and the inaugural bilateral visit by a Jamaican PM. He was welcomed at the airport in New Delhi by Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary.

On Tuesday, Holness met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House, where they held discussions aimed at strengthening ties. PM Modi acknowledged their shared history and highlighted Holness’s commitment to enhancing relations between the two countries. He emphasized that India has always been a reliable partner in Jamaica’s development journey, particularly in sectors like education and capacity building through initiatives like ITEC and ICCR scholarships.

Holness expressed Jamaica’s interest in deepening cooperation with India in fields such as STEM, digitalization, and security, recognizing India’s advancements in these areas. This visit aims to strengthen economic cooperation and the long-standing bond between Jamaica and India.