As we journey on the path of national reconstruction, our close cooperation and exchange of experiences make it that much easier. India-Suriname relations have strengthened over the years with regular high-level exchanges and cultural visits. In 2023, the late former President Santokhi visited India for the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas of Indian diaspora. This was followed by a return visit of President Droupadi Murmu to Suriname later that year. As India and Suriname mark 50 years of diplomatic relations, the partnership has evolved into a robust, multifaceted engagement witnessing expansion of cooperation in diverse fields from infrastructure projects and trade, to capacity building and human resource development. 

In the last few decades, several projects have been executed in Suriname using the Indian Lines of Credit. These include the setting up of a 161 KV electrical transmission line from Paranam to Paramaribo, supply of trucks, renovation and commissioning of water pumping stations, setting up of rolling mill, supply of heavy hydraulic excavators and construction machinery, coastal equipment network lines, purchase of 3 Chetak Helicopters, servicing and maintenance of helicopters, supply of crash fire tenders, up-gradation of transmission network infrastructure & power generation. India has also supplied 425 metric tons of

food items worth US$ 10 million to Suriname last year to help with its food security.

I am also happy to note that Suriname has several completed and ongoing projects related to early flood warning, construction of a stadium, using grant announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Quick Impact Projects agreement signed late last year has already begun to show results. A total of four community projects namely sustainable support of a chemical teaching laboratory at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, promoting recreational activities for the society in Nickerie by rehabilitating the DC Roblesplein, supporting ICT education of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) secondary schools in Suriname by upgrading IT equipment at the Educational Classroom of Natuurtechnisch Instituut (NATIN), supporting various sports facilities in Suriname by setting up a synthetic jogging track at Lelydorp in the District of Wanica have already been completed and are benefiting the Surinamese society. Soon a new cycle of such projects will commence in Suriname. Past Grant initiatives include up-gradation of the ‘s Lands Hospital morgue in Paramaribo, assistance to the Institute for Natural Resources and Engineering Studies, rehabilitation of flood victims, renovation of craft marketplace, donation of 200 computers for students, donation of medicines. Day after tomorrow, I will join the commissioning ceremony of a Passion Fruit Processing & Packaging unit completed using an Indian grant. This will empower local farmers and build Suriname’s self-reliance through value-added industry. 

Equally important is the investment in human capital. Through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme and scholarships facilitated by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), more than 750 Surinamese professionals and diaspora members have benefited from training and educational opportunities in India. Our training programs cover a broad spectrum of disciplines, ranging from technology and innovation, safety and security, to banking and finance. Additionally, India offers short modules of training in business operations and entrepreneurship, administration and leadership, health and science, equipping professionals with the essential skills for the complex challenges of today's human resource market.

At the multilateral level, India and Suriname share a convergence of views on key global issues, including the need for reform of the United Nations Security Council. India’s engagement with CARICOM, of which Suriname is a member, also reflects our broader commitment to working with the Global South in advancing growth and equitable development. Suriname’s participation in Indian-led initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) depicts our shared responsibility towards global challenges. India’s rapid transformation over the past decade has positioned it as a reliable partner for countries seeking inclusive and sustainable development. India’s strengths in affordable healthcare, pharmaceuticals, digital public infrastructure, renewable energy, climate-resilient infrastructure, agriculture, and capacity building offers practical and scalable pathways for cooperation. At the same time, Suriname’s rich natural resources and its strategic location in South America and the Caribbean open new avenues for trade, investment, and connectivity. Together, this creates a natural partnership which both of us must propel.

Despite geographical distance, India and Suriname are bound by a civilizational connect. The story of India-Suriname relations begins not in conference rooms, but on the decks of the ship Lalla Rookh that arrived on Surinamese shores in 1873. These Indians and those who followed built new lives, integrated into society and contributed to the emergence of modern Suriname. It is in recognition of this legacy that I look forward to paying my respects at the ‘Baba and Mai Monument’, which honours the first immigrants from India.

The community has not only preserved its cultural roots but has also become integral to Suriname’s national fabric. The use of ‘Sarnami Hindustani’, an evolution of Indian Bhojpuri and Awadhi dialects, the popularity of ‘Baithak music’, a blend of Indian traditional music with Caribbean influences, the celebration of Ramlila, Phagwa and Diwali, and the consumption of Roti as a staple food all reflect this unique cultural synthesis. Suriname has also played an important role in promoting Hindi language globally, having hosted the World Hindi Conference in Paramaribo in 2003. We in India take real pride in how this shared heritage has shaped our contemporary friendship.

In Suriname, India does not see a distant partner; India sees family. As we look to the future, this enduring bond will continue to inspire us to deepen our multifaceted cooperation. I look forward to my interactions with President Jennifer Geerlings-Simmons, Foreign Minister Melvin Bouva and colleagues to take our partnership forward.

By Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India