KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, will this weekend welcome His Excellency Dr S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India on the first bi-lateral visit of an Indian External Affairs Minister to Jamaica.

He is scheduled to arrive Saturday at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.

The ministry in a statement on Saturday said the visit provides an opportunity for the two ministers to take stock of the bilateral relationship between their countries and to advance discussions on the operationalisation of Memoranda of Understanding in the areas of health, solarisation and public broadcasting.

It noted that Jamaica and India are also expected to engage on key areas of cooperation, including agriculture, technology and innovation, tourism and on matters of shared regional and multilateral interest.

“I look forward to welcoming Minister Jaishankar to Kingston as we continue to strengthen the longstanding ties between our countries. This visit builds on the strong foundation between Jamaica and the Republic of India, rooted in history, shared values and a common vision for inclusive and sustainable development. It presents an excellent opportunity to translate the strong political will demonstrated by our leaders into tangible outcomes that benefit our peoples,” said Johnson Smith.

The minister added that the visit of Minister Jaishankar will also present an important opportunity to reiterate on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, sincere gratitude for India’s generous donation of relief items in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, and to highlight both countries’ shared commitment to advancing economic resilience.

Minister Jaishankar will join Johnson Smith and select Cabinet Ministers for bilateral talks on Monday, May 4. He is also expected to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness at Jamaica House and will have an opportunity to meet with members of the private sector and other senior Government officials.

Jamaica and India established diplomatic relations on August 12, 1962. 

For more than 60 years, both countries have built a dynamic, enduring partnership. This relationship was further strengthened by Jamaica’s establishment of its first resident diplomatic Mission in India in September 2020. 

The Jamaican High Commission in New Delhi was formally opened during the Official Visit of Prime Dr Holness to India in 2024, marking the first Official Visit by a Jamaican Head of Government to India.