Antigua and Barbuda–India relations
Bilateral relations
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The high commissioner of India in Georgetown, Guyana is concurrently accredited to Antigua and Barbuda.[1] Antigua and Barbuda maintains an honorary consulate general in New Delhi.[2]
| |
 Antigua and Barbuda |
 India |
|---|---|
In July 2005, Antigua and Barbuda expressed support for the G4 nations' resolution on reforms of the United Nations.[3] Antigua and Barbuda prime minister, Baldwin Spencer, visited India in January 2007, and was the chief guest at the convocation of Manipal University (now MAHE).[4][5] Antiguan and Barbudan member of Parliament, Michael Ascot, made an official visit to India in the first week of April 2012.[1]
Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda, Sir Rodney Williams visited India between 4 and 21 October 2015 to participate in the 16th International Conference of Chief Justices of the World held in Lucknow.[6][7][8] Williams also visited a hospital in Hyderabad run by Livlife hospitals.[9][10]
Secretary (AMS, CPV& SA) in the Ministry of External Affairs R. Swaminathan visited Antigua and Barbuda in July 2015, and held discussions with Prime Minister Gaston Browne, the Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Trade, and the Minister of Health.[1]
Trade
Bilateral trade between Antigua and Barbuda and India totaled US$2.57 million in 2015–16. India exported $2.56 million worth of goods to Antigua and Barbuda, and imported $10,000.[1] The main commodities exported by India to Antigua and Barbuda are non-railway vehicles, iron and steel, pharmaceuticals, and apparel and clothing. The major commodities imported by India from Antigua and Barbuda are fruits, nuts and Aluminium.[11]
Manipal University signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda on 19 January 2007 to establish an offshore campus in Antigua.[5][12] Manipal Education acquired complete ownership of the American University of Antigua (AUA) from the New York-based Greater Caribbean Learning Resources in December 2008. Manipal Education subsequently spent ₹150 crore expanded the campus to increase the student intake from 1,000 students to 2,500.[13][14][15][16] Today, the AUA has one of the largest campuses in the Caribbean.[17]
Cultural relations
As of December 2016, around 150 Indians reside in Antigua and Barbuda. The community is involved in garments, jewellery and pharmaceuticals, and some are medical students.[1]
According to the 2001 Census of Antigua and Barbuda, 0.7% of the country's population is of Indian descent.[18] In August 2013, Antigua and Barbuda introduced a citizenship by investment (CIP) program which grants citizenship to persons who make an investment of over $400,000 in a pre-approved real estate project. The program was primarily targeted at wealthy Indian and Chinese nationals.[19]
Foreign aid
India assisted Antigua and Barbuda to carry out a feasibility study for an IT Park in 2008, and a feasibility study for a sewage treatment centre in 2009.[1] India provided $400,000 to Antigua and Barbuda on 20 March 2017 to install solar panels.[20]
Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda are eligible for scholarships under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme.[1]