KINGSTON, Jamaica (Xinhua) — The regional bloc the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and India held a meeting in Georgetown, Guyana on Tuesday to further their collaboration under a joint commission.

The CARICOM-India Joint Commission is a mechanism for dialogue between the two parties to enhance cooperation in the political, economic, environmental, health, scientific and technical areas.

Though the agreement to initiate the commission was signed in 2003, the two sides had never met under the mechanism over the past 12 years.

In his opening remarks, India’s Vice Foreign Minister Ramachandran Swaminathan praised the longstanding relationship between his country and CARICOM, saying ties have been strengthened by mutually beneficial cooperation agreements and cricket.

CARICOM Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque said that India was an important partner for the Caribbean states and has well established its presence in the region.

“This meeting allows us to exchange views and to enhance bilateral collaboration in various fields and issues on the international stage. It will further the scope of collaboration and also pave the way for regular political exchanges at a higher level,” he said.

He also said he wants CARICOM and India to work together on climate change, and expressed his sympathy over the death of more than 2,000 Indians as a result of the ongoing unusual heat wave.