Antigua and Barbuda–India relations

Antigua and Barbuda–India relations refers to the international relations that exist between Antigua and Barbuda and India. The High Commissioner of India in Georgetown, Guyana is concurrently accredited to Antigua and Barbuda.[1] Antigua and Barbuda maintains an Honorary Consulate General in New Delhi.[2]

In July 2005, Antigua and Barbuda expressed support for the G4 nations' resolution on reforms of the United Nations.[3] Barbuda Prime Minister Winston Baldwin Spencer visited India in January 2007, and was the chief guest at the convocation of Manipal University.[4][5] Member of Parliament Michael Ascot made an official visit to India in the first week of April 2012.[1]

Governor General Sir Rodney Williams visited India between 4 and 21 October 2015 to participate in the 16th International Conference of Chief Justices of the World held in Lucknow.[6][7][8] Williams also visited a hospital in Hyderabad run by Livlife Hospitals.[9][10]

Secretary (AMS, CPV& SA) in the Ministry of External Affairs R. Swaminathan visited Antigua and Barbuda in July 2015, and held discussions with Prime Minister Gaston Browne, the Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Trade, and the Minister of Health.[1]

Trade

Bilateral trade between Antigua and Barbuda and India totaled US$ 2.57 million in 2015-16. India exported $2.56 million worth of goods to Antigua and Barbuda, and imported $10,000.[1] The main commodities exported by India to Antigua and Barbuda are non-railway vehicles, iron and steel, pharmaceuticals, and apparel and clothing. The major commodities imported by India from Antigua and Barbuda are fruits, nuts and aluminium.[11]

Manipal University signed an MoU with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda on 19 January 2007 to establish an offshore campus in Antigua.[5][12] Manipal Education acquired complete ownership of the American University of Antigua (AUA) from New York-based Greater Caribbean Learning Resources in December 2008. Manipal Education subsequently spent ₹150 crore expanded the campus to increase the student intake from 1,000 students to 2,500.[13][14][15][16] Today, the AUA has one of the largest campuses in the Caribbean.[17]

Cultural relations

As of December 2016, around 150 Indians reside in Antigua and Barbuda. The community is involved in garments, jewellery and pharmaceuticals, and some are medical students.[1]

According to the 2001 Census of Antigua and Barbuda, 0.7% of the country's population is of Indian descent.[18]

In August 2013, Antigua and Barbuda introduced a citizenship-by-investment (CIP) program which grants citizenship to persons who make an investment of over $400,000 in a pre-approved real estate project. The program was primarily targeted at wealthy Indian and Chinese nationals.[19] In September 2014, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda appointed Indian entrepreneur Rajat Khare as the country's brand ambassador to promote tourism, investment and homeland security solutions.[20]

Foreign aid

India assisted Antigua and Barbuda to carry out a feasibility study for an IT Park in 2008, and a feasibility study for a sewage treatment centre in 2009.[1] India provided $400,000 to Antigua and Barbuda on 20 March 2017 to install solar panels.[21]

Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda are eligible for scholarships under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "India - Antigua and Barbuda Relations" (PDF). Ministry of External Affairs. December 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  2. ↑ "Hony. Consulates in India". Protocol Division, Ministry of External Affairs. Retrieved 15 April 2017.
  3. ↑ "Antigua-Barbuda PM discusses closer relations withIndia". Caribbean Net News. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  4. ↑ "Manipal varsity to set up off-shore campus in Antigua | Manipal varsity to set up off-shore campus in Antigua". www.oneindia.com. 24 January 2007. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  5. 1 2 "Manipal varsity signs MoU with Antigua". Deccan Herald. 24 January 2007. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  6. ↑ "Joyous Occasion at the 16th International Conference of Chief Justices of the World – People from 194 Countries Respond to An Era of Conscience Movement". CNN iReport. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  7. ↑ "Make new laws to tackle problems of migrants". India Today. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  8. ↑ "The Movement of An Era of Conscience — At the 16th International Conference of Chief Justices of the World". Barclet Magazine. 2016-12-11. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  9. ↑ "Sir Rodney Williams, Governor of Antigua and Barbuda visits Livlife Hospital on his trip to India in October 2015". Livlife Hospitals. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  10. ↑ "Sir Rodney Williams, Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda at Livlife Part 1". Youtube. 29 October 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  11. ↑ "Total Trade". Department of Commerce. Retrieved 15 April 2017.
  12. ↑ "News » News headlines". www.daijiworld.com. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  13. ↑ "Manipal Education buys out Antigua University". The Economic Times. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  14. ↑ Pathak, Kalpana (29 March 2012). "Manipal University in expansion mode". Business Standard India. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  15. ↑ "Small town, big business". Outlook Business. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  16. ↑ Krishnan, Aarati (26 February 2013). "Education can be paying too, the Manipal group way". The Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  17. ↑ "Premji set to buy 10% in Manipal Education for Rs 900 crore - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  18. ↑
  19. ↑ "Caribbean nations wooing Indian immigrants with attractive citizenship-for-cash offers - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  20. ↑ "Antigua names Indian entrepreneur Rajat Khare its brand ambassador". Business Standard India. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  21. ↑ "India and Antigua and Barbuda to cooperate in areas of Medical Tourism, Health and Wellness, Energy and IT". Antigua Tribune. 20 March 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
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