India to assist Antigua and Barbuda in various fields

Antigua and Barbuda is seeking the assistance of the government of India in various areas to help with the nation’s development.

The discussions took place during the two-day visit of Dr. Amit Telang, the Indian High Commissioner for the Eastern Caribbean, who arrived in St. John’s on Thursday.

During his stay, Dr. Telang met with Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene, and representatives of the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus.

According to a source close to the meetings, the Antigua and Barbuda government requested technical assistance from India in several fields, including healthcare, education, sustainable energy, food security, and agriculture.

In the healthcare sector, the government intends to source medical personnel such as doctors and nurses from India to improve the country’s healthcare system.

Additionally, the government is keen to collaborate with India to make specialized teachers available, particularly in the area of mathematics, to join the education system.

During the meeting at the UWI FIC, both sides expressed enthusiasm to explore areas of cooperation between Indian universities and the UWI, including offering online courses to Caribbean students.

The Indian delegation appreciated the discussions, and both parties discussed the possibility of collaboration between the Indian Institute for Management and Technology and the UWI FIC to enable students to pursue courses through this institute and other educational institutions in India.

Already, India offers scholarships to Antigua and Barbuda nationals to pursue technical or academic courses.

Under India’s Technical and Economic Cooperation program, 15 slots were recently offered to Antigua and Barbuda nationals.

India has also provided defense training to the Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force’s soldiers and coast guard officers.