Ties that bind
India, Jamaica reaffirm strategic relationship as Eastern nation celebrates 77th Republic Day
Published:Wednesday | January 28, 2026 | 12:09 AMKaren Madden/Gleaner Writer
Jamaica and India reaffirmed their friendly relations on Monday as the world’s largest democracy marked its 77th Republic Day with a reception at India House in St Andrew.
The event, which was attended by scores of political representatives, private-sector leaders, and members of the diplomatic and consular corps, saw Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith as special guest.
In his remarks, Indian High Commissioner to Jamaica Mayank Joshi noted that his country was one of the first to provide aid to Jamaica following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, which hit the island with Category 5 strength in October last year.
The aid included medical equipment, a portable field hospital, and essential supplies to support immediate relief and recovery efforts.
The Indian Government dispatched approximately 20 tons of humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief material via an Indian Air Force aircraft with a four-member medical team to conduct specialised training sessions for local Jamaican medical professionals and paramedics in the use of the field hospital.
This, the high commissioner noted, was a continuation of the relationship between both countries and he promised that more is to come.
“India’s rise as an economic and technological power, combined with Jamaica’s regional leadership and strategic location, create opportunity for both countries in great healthcare, energy-capacity building, food security, digital transformation, and many, many more areas,” Joshi said.
“It is a deep personal honour to serve in Jamaica, from enjoying music at Sumfest, to trekking in Blue Mountains and visiting Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Negril, Portland, Westmoreland, and St Elizabeth. I have experienced a nation of warmth, resilience, and creativity. Here, diplomacy truly feels like engagement among friends.”
Joshi also pointed to the deeper significance of Republic Day in the Jamaican context.
REAFFIRMATION OF DEMOCRACY
“India’s Republic Day is not only a celebration of our constitution. It is reaffirmation of democracy, partnership, and shared futures. India and Jamaica have journeyed together from history to strategy, from memory to modernity. The partnership is promising, and we are building it together with trust and cooperation,” he told the audience.
In bringing the Jamaican Government’s official congratulations, Johnson Smith reiterated the country’s gratitude to India for the multimillion-dollar assistance after Hurricane Melissa, revealing that to date, the Indian medical team has conducted 50 medical camps.
“Our relations are also sustained through continuous high-level engagements. Just recently, I had the privilege of being present for the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Modi (Shri Narendra Modi of India) and Prime Minister Holness (Dr Andrew Holness of Jamaica) on the margins of the G20 Summit in South Africa. The meaningful exchange underscored the enduring friendship between our nations and the mutual resolve to advance at all levels. Capacity building and training remain a cornerstone of Jamaica-India relations. The high-tech programme continues to offer an avenue for the development of skills and knowledge across diverse fields,” she said.
Johnson Smith also referenced recent developments in keeping with the partnership.
“Only last week, under this rubric, over 200 law enforcement and security personnel commenced a virtual training programme organised by the RR University (Rashtriya Raksha University, India’s premier national security and policing university) in collaboration with the ministries of external affairs and home affairs of India. On a much smaller, but still highly valued scale, a few officers in my ministry have also participated in a wonderful and most productive diplomatic training at the prestigious Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, and all have provided glowing reviews of the experience as we build out this aspect of diplomatic capacity building.”
Republic Day is a national holiday in India, celebrated annually on January 26, and marks the historic day in 1950 when the Constitution of India came into effect, officially transforming the nation into a sovereign, democratic republic.