Antigua and Barbuda–India relations

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Antigua and Barbuda-India relations
Map indicating locations of Antigua and Barbuda and India

Antigua and Barbuda
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] Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister, Baldwin Spencer, visited India in January 2007, and was the chief guest at the convocation of Manipal University.[4][5] Antiguan and Barbudan member of Parliament, , made an official visit to India in the first week of April 2012.[1]

Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda, 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 .[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 a memorandum of understanding 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 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. ^ a b c d e f g "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. ^ a b "Manipal varsity signs MoU with Antigua". Deccan Herald. 24 January 2007. Retrieved 19 April 2017.[permanent dead link]
  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. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-08-17. Retrieved 2017-04-19.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  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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