The just concluded six-day (June4 to 9) state visit of President Droupadi Murmu to Suriname and Serbia imparted fresh thrust to India’s ties with the two countries as the world is witnessing significant challenges on account of economic slowdown, climate change, geo-political conflicts, and tensions
President Murmu's visit to Suriname took place at a time when it is commemorating the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in the South American country.
In 1873, the first group of Indians had reached the shores of Suriname, on board the ship ‘Lalla Rookh’ which was the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Suriname, a country with a huge diaspora population.
Currently, 27% of the population of Suriname is Hindustani. Hindi is widely spoken in Suriname and Hinduism is the 2nd largest practised religion in Suriname with approximately 20% Hindu population.
Current President of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi is a Person of Indian Origin (PIO). He was the Chief Guest at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2021 held virtually on January 9, 2021. He is also a recipient of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2021 for Public Service. At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he visited India on a seven-day official visit from January 7 to 13, 2023.
India and Suriname have deep historical and cultural ties that provide the foundation for the multifaceted bilateral partnership.
United by their shared history and heritage, India-Suriname bilateral relations are based on shared aspirations for development and both countries have made efforts to rebuild their economies and social systems after a long period of colonial rule.
The Indian diaspora in Suriname has been and is playing a crucial role in the economic, political and social development of the country. They have excelled in almost all areas. The Indian community acts as a bridge of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The Indian diaspora has always remained attached to their roots.
Over the last 150 years, the Indian community has not only become an integral part of society in Suriname, but it also constitutes an important pillar of the deepening partnership between India and Suriname.
To strengthen the diaspora bonds between India and Suriname, President Murmu announced India’s decision to extend the eligibility criteria for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card up from the fourth generation to the sixth generation of those original Indian immigrants who had arrived in Suriname from Indian territories.
The initiatives like ‘Know India Programme; and ‘ITEC Scholarship’ provide an opportunity to the Indian Diaspora in Suriname to remain connected with their Indian roots.
There are also challenges in the bilateral relationship as the bilateral trade between India and Suriname is well below potential. In 2022-23, the total bilateral trade was only $ 52 million.
Thus, both countries need to work together to expand bilateral trade for mutual benefit especially in sectors like pharmaceuticals, Ayurveda, agriculture and defence where India can play a key role in Suriname. In the last one decade, India has enhanced its technical cooperation and is contributing to the capacity building and skill development of Suriname's human resources as per their requirements.
In January 2023, India had also organised the ‘Voice of South Summit’ with the participation of 125 countries from the Global South and Suriname was part of this new Indian initiative where India intends to provide a greater voice to the issues of interest to developing countries and Global South.
Recently India also helped Suriname through restructuring the debt arising from Lines of Credit availed by Suriname from India. In March 2023, India approved 19 projects under Quick Impact Projects (QIP) in Suriname.
President Murmu was also conferred with the highest civilian honour of Suriname ‘Grand Order of the Chain of the Yellow Star’ by the President of Suriname. The visit of the President of India to Suriname also resulted in signing of three important MoUs: a) MoU between Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation of India (CDSCO) and Ministry of Health of Suriname for cooperation in the field of medical products regulation; b) MoU between Ministries of Health of India and Suriname for extending recognition to Indian pharmacopoeia; and c) Joint Work plan for the period 2023-27 in Agriculture and Allied sectors.
In her 2nd leg of the visit, President Murmu visited Serbia. This was the first visit by an Indian President to Serbia. India and Serbia have always shared an understanding of each other’s core interests. India’s relations with Serbia were particularly defined in the context of the Non-Aligned Movement.
As co-founders of the Non-Aligned Movement, both countries share a historic association. In Belgrade, the capital city of Serbia, there are busts of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Ravindranath Tagore while in New Delhi, we can find Josip Broz Tito Street which reflects the linkages between both countries.
A significant number of Indian students are in Serbia especially to study medicine. Apart from becoming competent professionals, those students are also goodwill Ambassadors for India-Serbia relations.
Indian Bollywood movies are also very popular in Serbia; it has emerged as one of the key film shooting destinations for the Indian film industry. The popularity of Yoga and Ayurveda is also a reflection of deep bonds between both countries. At a time when Serbia is looking for hard-working and skilled workers and professionals from overseas, President Murmu also suggested that Indian talent can be a credible partner in the progress of Serbia.
There is huge potential for India-Serbia trade and investment. Even though bilateral trade between India and Serbia is at present modest at around $320 million, President Murmu said that the two-way trade can grow to at-least $1 billion by 2030 and in this context, Serbia can become an effective gateway for Indian companies to access broader markets in Europe and Eurasia.
President Murmu’s visit to Suriname and Serbia was successful in terms of advocating Indian interests and deepening the cultural and diaspora bond in Suriname and also taking forward the multifaceted partnership with Serbia.
***The author is working as a Senior Research Fellow with India Foundation; views expressed here are his own
In 1873, the first group of Indians had reached the shores of Suriname, on board the ship ‘Lalla Rookh’ which was the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Suriname, a country with a huge diaspora population.
Currently, 27% of the population of Suriname is Hindustani. Hindi is widely spoken in Suriname and Hinduism is the 2nd largest practised religion in Suriname with approximately 20% Hindu population.
Current President of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi is a Person of Indian Origin (PIO). He was the Chief Guest at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2021 held virtually on January 9, 2021. He is also a recipient of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2021 for Public Service. At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he visited India on a seven-day official visit from January 7 to 13, 2023.
India and Suriname have deep historical and cultural ties that provide the foundation for the multifaceted bilateral partnership.
United by their shared history and heritage, India-Suriname bilateral relations are based on shared aspirations for development and both countries have made efforts to rebuild their economies and social systems after a long period of colonial rule.
The Indian diaspora in Suriname has been and is playing a crucial role in the economic, political and social development of the country. They have excelled in almost all areas. The Indian community acts as a bridge of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The Indian diaspora has always remained attached to their roots.
Over the last 150 years, the Indian community has not only become an integral part of society in Suriname, but it also constitutes an important pillar of the deepening partnership between India and Suriname.
To strengthen the diaspora bonds between India and Suriname, President Murmu announced India’s decision to extend the eligibility criteria for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card up from the fourth generation to the sixth generation of those original Indian immigrants who had arrived in Suriname from Indian territories.
The initiatives like ‘Know India Programme; and ‘ITEC Scholarship’ provide an opportunity to the Indian Diaspora in Suriname to remain connected with their Indian roots.
There are also challenges in the bilateral relationship as the bilateral trade between India and Suriname is well below potential. In 2022-23, the total bilateral trade was only $ 52 million.
Thus, both countries need to work together to expand bilateral trade for mutual benefit especially in sectors like pharmaceuticals, Ayurveda, agriculture and defence where India can play a key role in Suriname. In the last one decade, India has enhanced its technical cooperation and is contributing to the capacity building and skill development of Suriname's human resources as per their requirements.
In January 2023, India had also organised the ‘Voice of South Summit’ with the participation of 125 countries from the Global South and Suriname was part of this new Indian initiative where India intends to provide a greater voice to the issues of interest to developing countries and Global South.
Recently India also helped Suriname through restructuring the debt arising from Lines of Credit availed by Suriname from India. In March 2023, India approved 19 projects under Quick Impact Projects (QIP) in Suriname.
President Murmu was also conferred with the highest civilian honour of Suriname ‘Grand Order of the Chain of the Yellow Star’ by the President of Suriname. The visit of the President of India to Suriname also resulted in signing of three important MoUs: a) MoU between Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation of India (CDSCO) and Ministry of Health of Suriname for cooperation in the field of medical products regulation; b) MoU between Ministries of Health of India and Suriname for extending recognition to Indian pharmacopoeia; and c) Joint Work plan for the period 2023-27 in Agriculture and Allied sectors.
In her 2nd leg of the visit, President Murmu visited Serbia. This was the first visit by an Indian President to Serbia. India and Serbia have always shared an understanding of each other’s core interests. India’s relations with Serbia were particularly defined in the context of the Non-Aligned Movement.
As co-founders of the Non-Aligned Movement, both countries share a historic association. In Belgrade, the capital city of Serbia, there are busts of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Ravindranath Tagore while in New Delhi, we can find Josip Broz Tito Street which reflects the linkages between both countries.
A significant number of Indian students are in Serbia especially to study medicine. Apart from becoming competent professionals, those students are also goodwill Ambassadors for India-Serbia relations.
Indian Bollywood movies are also very popular in Serbia; it has emerged as one of the key film shooting destinations for the Indian film industry. The popularity of Yoga and Ayurveda is also a reflection of deep bonds between both countries. At a time when Serbia is looking for hard-working and skilled workers and professionals from overseas, President Murmu also suggested that Indian talent can be a credible partner in the progress of Serbia.
There is huge potential for India-Serbia trade and investment. Even though bilateral trade between India and Serbia is at present modest at around $320 million, President Murmu said that the two-way trade can grow to at-least $1 billion by 2030 and in this context, Serbia can become an effective gateway for Indian companies to access broader markets in Europe and Eurasia.
President Murmu’s visit to Suriname and Serbia was successful in terms of advocating Indian interests and deepening the cultural and diaspora bond in Suriname and also taking forward the multifaceted partnership with Serbia.
***The author is working as a Senior Research Fellow with India Foundation; views expressed here are his own
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