NEW DELHI: Among the many things, Jamaica is also famous for its athletics stars – especially their fast short distance runners. Recognising Jamaica’s sporting achievements, President Ram Nath Kovind said that ‘India is willing to learn the lessons in sports and athletics from Jamaica’.
President Kovind spoke while addressing the joint session of both the Houses of Parliament of Jamaica. This is the first time that an Indian Head of State is in the Caribbean nation, where the strength of the Indian diaspora is estimated to be about 70,000.
India is also contemplating setting up Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) abroad under its National Education Policy released in 2020 with Jamaica expressing its interest to have one.
“India is ready to partner with Jamaica and share its technical skills, knowledge and expertise which could transform Jamaica’s education and businesses,” President Kovind said.
President Kovind also called on Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and later on paid his obeisance at the memorial of the legendary Jamaican politician Marcus Garvey.
President Kovind also planted a sandalwood sapling at the India-Jamaica Friendship Garden in the Hope Botanical Gardens.
“I am confident that this sapling will grow into a tree and enrich the garden with its warm fragrance much like the Indian community has grown and is contributing to the development of Jamaica,” President Kovind remarked.
“Fifteen thousand kilometres away from India, I feel very much at home before you,” President Kovind said.
Meanwhile, at the state banquet hosted by Patrick Allen, Governor-General of Jamaica, President Kovind said, “As strong and vibrant democracies, as countries which seek ethical market practices and as countries with respect for an inclusive, equitable, stable, secure and rules-based international order, it is logical for us to work together. This is all the more important when the global order is in flux and tensions are on the rise in many parts of the world.”
“With its strategic position and skilled manpower, Jamaica has the potential to be the ‘knowledge highway’ in this region, catering to the needs of the large economies nearby. And in doing that, Jamaica will always find a willing partner in India,” President Kovind added.