India – St. Vincent & The Grenadines
India and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines enjoy close and cordial relations at many international fora. SVG has supported India’s successful candidacies in the elections to International Court of Justice (ICJ), International Tribunal of the Laws of the Seas (ITLOS) and Executive Board of UNESCO and International Maritime Organizations (IMO)
Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines met Indian Prime Minister on September 24, 2015 in New York on the sidelines of UNGA meeting. The two leaders held talks on developing bilateral relations between the two countries and expressed satisfaction at the traditional close and cordial links that exist between India and SVG. Indian PM has extended an invitation to PM Ralph Gonsalves to visit India, which has been accepted and dates of the visit is to be finalized.
Shri P.P.Chaudhary Minister of State Law & Justice and Corporate Affairs visited St. Vincent and the Grenadines from April 22-24, 2018 under MEA’s innovative outreach programme and held bilateral talks with PM Dr Ralph Gonsalves. The entire gamut of bilateral relations between the two countries was reviewed during the meeting. He also met Mrs. Sandy Peters-Philips, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs during his visit and held active interactions with the members of SVG Indian Heritage Foundation
On 1st June, 2007, Mr. Vayalar Ravi, the then Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, attended the first ever celebrations of Indian Arrival Day organized by SVG Indian Heritage Foundation. During his one day visit to St. Vincent, MOIA also had a meeting with Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
India handed over 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.
SVG and India actively cooperate on various multilateral fora. SVG has been supporting India’s candidature on various multilateral platforms including elections of different bodies under UN, including the recently held ICJ elections.
Under ITEC Programme 5 scholarships have been allotted for 2018-19
Bilateral trade between India and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Exports to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
2014-15 US$0.76 million
2015-16 US$ 0.55 million
2016-17 US $ 0.78million
2017-18 US$ 0.68 million
Indian exports include textiles ,Iron & Steel and papers.
Indian Community
There are about 3000 persons of Indian origin who came to SVG in the 19th century as indentured labourers. Most of them have now got assimilated in the mainstream local society and they have set up a Saint Vincent and Grenadines Indian Heritage Foundation. Due to the efforts of the Foundation, 01st June has been declared as Indian Arrival Day in Saint Vincent whereas 7th October has been declared as Indian Heritage Day