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Jaishankar meets Antigua PM Browne at CHOGM 2026, pushes trade and clean energy
India's foreign minister used the Commonwealth summit sidelines to pitch deeper business, solar-and-wind and food processing ties with a Caribbean partner.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar sat down with Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne on the sidelines of CHOGM 2026 on Thursday (local time). The two discussed how to grow cooperation in trade and investment, renewable energy and food processing.
Jaishankar passed on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's greetings and congratulated Browne on hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. In a post on X, he said he valued Browne's guidance on taking the partnership forward.
In a separate meeting, Jaishankar spoke with Foreign Minister Paul Chet Greene. They agreed to step up cooperation in healthcare, education, small and medium enterprises, training and capacity building. They also compared notes on the just-concluded summit.
Why does this matter to everyday readers? The focus areas are practical ones. Renewable energy and food processing are sectors where Indian companies, technology and skills can find overseas customers, while small island nations look for affordable power and food security. Training and SME links can open doors for Indian firms and professionals.
The talks fit a wider Caribbean push. Earlier at CHOGM, Jaishankar announced a USD 500 million Line of Credit for Guyana covering roads, healthcare and defence after meeting President Irfaan Ali. The countries also signed three agreements: digital public infrastructure with a UPI-like payment system, Quick Impact Projects, and cooperation on micro and small enterprise manufacturing.
Jaishankar said these steps deliver on commitments Modi made during his November 2024 Guyana visit for the CARICOM-India Summit.
Read the original report here.
