Wed | Apr 8, 2026

India High Commission revels in nation’s emergence as ‘friend to the world’

Published:Monday | February 3, 2025 | 5:17 PM
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The gathering at the evening reception.
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The gathering at the evening reception.
Some of the guests at the Republic Day reception on January 26.
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Some of the guests at the Republic Day reception on January 26.
Mayank Joshi, high commissioner of India to Jamaica, making a speech during the morning event.
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Mayank Joshi, high commissioner of India to Jamaica, making a speech during the morning event.
High Commissioner Mayank Joshi delivers his speech at the Republic Day reception on January 26.
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High Commissioner Mayank Joshi delivers his speech at the Republic Day reception on January 26.
Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, minister of foreign affairs, delivers her remarks on the occasion of India’s 76th Republic Day.
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Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, minister of foreign affairs, delivers her remarks on the occasion of India’s 76th Republic Day.
Joshi (right) and Johnson Smith join in a toast in recognition of Republic Day of India.
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Joshi (right) and Johnson Smith join in a toast in recognition of Republic Day of India.
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The High Commission of India in Kingston celebrated the 76th Republic Day of India on January 26 at India House with the ceremonial flag unfurling in the morning.

The celebrations continued in the evening in with the formal reception, where Kamina Johnson Smith, minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade was the chief guest.

Several Cabinet ministers and other dignitaries including Justice Minister Delroy Chuck; Aubyn Hill, minister of industry, investment and commerce; Finance Minister Fayval Williams; Norman Dunn, minister of state for constitutional and legal affairs; Sheila Monteith, Mayor Kingston Andrew Swaby; and Ian Forbes, custos of St Andrew also graced the occasion.

Among the guests included senior government officials, academicians, members of the media, business community and other prominent Indians in Jamaica.

The celebration featured Indian dance recitals and cultural performances, which were performed by the members of Mudra Art Group and Anjali Dance Group.

In his opening remarks, Indian High Commissioner Mayank Joshi shared his presentation on the progress India has made in 75 years. He highlighted the concept of Vishwa Bandhu – a friend to the world. India is setting its sight on becoming a developed economy by 2047.

INITIATIVES

Joshi also spoke about various initiatives being undertaken under India-Jamaica partnership, including proposals for presentation of a cricket scoreboard for Sabina Park; 60 tonnes of humanitarian aid relief; collaborations in areas such as defence, healthcare, education, and digital public infrastructure.

He indicated several projects have commenced or are in pipeline, including a community development project in Kitson Town being implemented by UNDP with US$1 million in assistance from India.

He also recalled the visit of Prime Minister Andrew Holness to India in 2024, the first bilateral official visit of a Jamaican prime minister to his country. During Holness’ visit, India and Jamaica signed memoranda of understanding in sports, culture, exchange, digital public infrastructure, and digital payment systems. A street in New Delhi was also named as Jamaica Marg. The next foreign office consultation between India and Jamaica is to be held this year.

Speaking on the occasion Johnson Smith recognised the growing importance of India as one of the most influential nations in the world. She noted that the 76th Republic Day is being celebrated under the theme Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas (Golden India: Legacy and Progress), highlighting India’s rich cultural legacy and hopes for a brighter future. She highlighted the longstanding bond between India and Jamaica. She recognised the 62 years of bilateral relations, during which cooperation has expanded to several areas including capacity building, culture, sports, climate change, renewable energy, digital transformation and Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) scholarships.

They both stated that, this year, the Indian Heritage Day on May 10 will be celebrated as a landmark event, commemorating 180 years of arrivals of Indians in Jamaica. Currently, it is estimated that Jamaica has around 70,000 people of Indian origin and another 5,000 expatriate Indians.

The High Commission hosted the ceremonial national flag unfurling ceremony at India House. Nearly 150 people from the Indian community and friends of India participated.

Following the singing of national anthems of India and Jamaica a cultural programme comprising of patriotic songs, dance and music was performed by children and youth of the Indian community from Kingston, Ocho Rios in St Ann and Montego Bay, St James.

The High Commission also acknowledged Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas award recipients from Jamaica, Kenny Benjamin of Guardsman Group and Dr Guna Muppuri, for their continuous contributions to the promotion of India-Jamaica relations. The High Commission also recognised Professor Mohammad Hussain Ahmad, recipient of the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander from the Government of Jamaica in 2024 for his contribution in the field of agri sciences and genetic engineering.