Embassy of India

High Commission of India

(With residence in Paramaribo(Suriname)

Saint Lucia

May 2025

St. Lucia and India enjoy cordial bilateral relations, actively cooperating in international organizations like the United Nations, Commonwealth, and Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) as well as other multilateral platforms. The bilateral ties have sustained momentum through exchange of high-level visits.

In November 2024, Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi held bilateral discussions with St. Lucia PM Hon. Philip J. Pierre on the margins of 2^nd India-CariCom leaders’ summit held in Guyana. In April 2018, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet of St. Lucia held a bilateral meeting with PM Modi, discussing bilateral relations and mutual interests. In 2019, Prime Minister Modi announced a US$14 million grant and a US$150 million Line of Credit for projects related to solar energy, renewable energy, and climate change for Caricom member states including for St. Lucia during the India-CariCom Meet of Heads of State/Government. Earlier in 2015, former Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony met with PM Modi during the UNGA meeting, discussing bilateral relations and shared concerns.

In September 2024, on the Margins of 79^th UNGA, EAM met Saint Lucia Foreign Minister Alva Baptiste. In April 2023, Foreign Minister of St. Lucia Mr. Alva Romanus Baptiste met with EAM at the India-COFCOR Meeting in Guyana.

On 17 August 2024, Shawn A. Edward, Minister of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology & Vocational Training of St. Lucia took part in the Education Ministers’ Session of the 3rd Voice of the Global South Summit (VOGSS). Earlier, In November 2023, the Minister of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs Hon. Moses Jn. Baptiste participated in Health Ministers’ virtual VOGSS hosted by Indian Health Minister. Prior to that in January 2023, the Minister for Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology, and Vocational Training of Saint Lucia, Mr. Shawn Edward participated in the Education Minister’s session of the VOGSS.

In 2016, Indian Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy visited St. Lucia and held meetings with St. Lucian Ministers and other important figures. This visit marked a significant milestone in the two nations' relationship, generating interest among local businesses, the Indian Diaspora, NRIs, and social organizations. In September 2019, Ezechiel Joseph, Minister for Education, Agriculture, Fisheries, Physical Planning, Natural Resources, and Cooperatives, participated in the UNCCD meeting in New Delhi.

Development Partnership and Capacity Building:

India extended support to community development projects in St. Lucia under the India-UNDP Fund. One project to the value of US$ 1 million on “Human Security and Sustainable Development – a Covid 19 Response” was implemented through UNOSCC and WFP in two components with (i) providing urgent medical supplies to strengthen the national healthcare capacity (US $ 0.5 million) and (ii) a public assistance programme to the tune of US$ 0.5 million. Under the India-UNDP Fund (Commonwealth window).

A project on “upgrading St. Lucia’s capacity to provide impactful vocational training for marginalized youth” amounting to US $ 1,061,601 has been completed. St. Lucia has also benefited under IBSA Fund wherein a project concerning Poverty Reduction through Livestock Development for a sum of US$ 1,291,100/- was completed in September, 2018. India has also joined CariCom Development Fund (CDF) as its International Development Partner in January, 2019 with contribution of US$ one million and St. Lucia is also a member of CDF.

India supported St. Lucia with a cash donation of US$500,000/- towards assistance in recovery and rehabilitation following flash floods in December, 2013. Earlier, in December, 2010, India had made a cash donation of US$500,000/- towards recovery and rehabilitation following Hurricane Tomas. In 2010, India had extended financial assistance of US$ 250,000/- and medical equipment valued at over 200,000 US$ towards reconstruction and rehabilitation of St. Jude hospital.

As a token of solidarity, Govt. of India provided life-saving drugs and protective gear worth US$ 100,000 to the Govt. and people of St. Lucia to assist in their fight against Covid 19 pandemic, which were handed over to Govt. of St. Lucia on August 12, 2020. And, GoI also donated 25,000 doses of Made in India Covishield vaccine to St. Lucia on March 1, 2021.

In 2017, the St. Lucian government provided support to enable the evacuation of Indian students and NRIs from Dominica to St. Lucia during the Hurricane Maria.

MoUs/ Agreements/ Treaties: In April, 2024 India-St. Lucia signed visa waiver agreement for Diplomatic and Official passport holders (agreement is under ratification process). St. Lucia ratified the ISA Framework agreement on October 29, 2019, following its signing on October 25, 2019. The Foreign Service Institute of India submitted a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Sardar Patel National Police University and the Diplomatic Academy, which has been pending since February 2020.

St. Lucia has consistently extended support to India's candidacies for International bodies like the International Court of Justice, International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, Executive Board of UNESCO, and International Maritime Organization. India has also supported St. Lucian candidates for the World Customs Organization, World Health Organization, and International Civil Aviation Organization in 2019.

In 2019, St Lucia signed and ratified the ISA Agreement and extended support to the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ). In 2021, St Lucia supported India's candidature for various positions, including External Auditor of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Postal Operations Council, Council of Administration of the Universal Postal Union, International Organization for Standardization, External Auditor of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Human Rights Council, International Law Commission, International Criminal Police Organization, UNESCO World Heritage Committee, International Maritime Organizations, and IPCC election.

In 2017, two Foreign Service Officials participated in the PCFD/CARICOM special diplomatic training program at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) in New Delhi. Two more Foreign Service Officers also attended the 65^th PCFD and 70^th PCFD courses respectively. India regularly offers Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) slots to St. Lucia.

Trade and Investment

Bilateral trade between India and St. Lucia is limited due to the country's small size, population of 179,000, and modest economy. The New India Assurance Company represents the only Indian investment in St. Lucia, with a commitment of US$ 2.8 million. Total bilateral trade rose from $3.85 million in 2019-2020 to $8.49 million in 2023-2024, reflecting a strengthening economic relationship over the five-year period.

The Indian Diaspora also comprises of Indian professionals, particularly doctors employed both in public and private sector in St. Lucia and a small number of Sindhi businessmen are engaged in imports, trading, and duty-free shops.

Culture

The Indian Cultural Foundation (ICF) of St Lucia, in collaboration with the Embassy of India in Paramaribo, organized the annual 'Namaste St Lucia' event in 2017, celebrating Indian culture. In 2022, on India’s 75th independence anniversary,as part of the Guardian Ring program, the Indian Cultural Foundation (ICF) in St. Lucia observed the International Day of Yoga. Saint Lucia has three prominent Indian organizations: the ICF, the Indian Heritage Foundation, and the Sanatan Hindu Organization. The Sanatan Hindu Organization, established in 1997, promotes awareness and education about the Hindu religion. The ICF collaborates with the Embassy in Paramaribo to organize cultural events.

The Indian-origin community observes 6 May as Indian Arrival Day, though the St. Lucian Government is yet to officially grant its recognition.

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 Useful Resources

Website: https://www.indembassysuriname.gov.in/

Facebook pages: https://www.facebook.com/IndiaInSuriname/ https://www.facebook.com/iccr.suriname

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indembsuriname/

Twitter: https://x.com/indembsur?lang=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoj4U_ST86i5GvkpwL8mbHA/videos