ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Outgoing Indian Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda, Dr. Amit Telang has renewed an invitation to Prime Minister Gaston Browne to visit the Asian country he has described as “an inspiration to us a Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Prime Minister Gaston Browne presents a gift to outgoing Indian Ambassador, Dr. Amit Telang“India’s economy has grown exponentially and as India continues to grow we want to make sure that we are well-positioned to exploit the opportunities that may arise; even to increase direct trade between the two countries,” Prime Minister Browne told the diplomat, who is ending his tour of duty to Antigua and Barbuda and the Eastern Caribbean.
Browne, who made reference to the unstable nature of the international order, noted the increasing challenges with the global uncertainties.
He said St. John’s must consider strengthening relations with India as they both seek to diversify their economies.
“As the saying goes ‘when one door shuts…you have to seek opportunities through other doors’. I see the relationship between Antigua and Barbuda and India becoming stronger in the months and years ahead,” Browne said.
He urged the diplomat, who is returning to take up a new posting in India, to become an advocate for Antigua and Barbuda when he returns to his homeland.
Telang described his posting to the Caribbean as ‘very fruitful’ noting that he had been able to accomplish much in the two years than when he was based at his Guyana with responsibility for the Eastern Caribbean as well.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister E.P Chet Greene says SIDS such as Antigua and Barbuda should be allowed to have a seat at the table of global conversations and not be left out of these discussions that invariably have an impact on their well-being.
Greene made reference to Antigua and Barbuda’s decision to host the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November as an undertaking that carries with it a huge financial costs, one which the country cannot bear without assistance from friends such as India.
He said despite the cost, Antigua and Barbuda’s wants to demonstrate that small countries must play a key and meaningful role in the global conversation.
“I think it is more important now as we witness the death blows struck against multilateralism, it is more important now for small states to come to the fore to show that there is value in our smallness; it is our combined numbers that will see us stave off some of the looming challenges before us.
“It therefore places us in a difficult, yet pivotal position as we seek to reset the global agenda,” Green said, adding that both Antigua and Barbuda and India are aligned in their understanding of global issues.
“We have to do more with the global south as we have to show that our countries can work more closely. It is clear and without doubt that the world is going through an inflection and it is our ability to raise to the occasion that will make a difference for us,” he told the ceremony that was also attended by Sir Vivian Richards, who has been named the country’s Ambassador to CHOGM.
