India extends $250,000 aid for development projects in Dominica

• India and the Commonwealth of Dominica exchanged Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) for implementation of five quick impact projects (QIPs) in Dominica. 

• The QIPs include financial support of $250,000 ($50,000 for each project) from the government of India for community development projects in Dominica. 

India-Dominica Relations

• The Commonwealth of Dominica is known as the ‘Nature’s Island of the Caribbean’ for its lush green mountains and serene beauty. It has a land area of 750 sq km and a population of approximately 70,000 people.

• India enjoys traditionally cordial bilateral relations with the Commonwealth of Dominica since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1981. 

• The Commonwealth of Dominica is concurrently accredited to India’s mission in Port of Spain and it does not have a diplomatic Mission in India.

• There have been high-level bilateral interactions between the leaders of India and Dominica on the sidelines of multilateral fora.

• In November 2024, PM Narendra Modi was conferred the ‘Dominica Award of Honour’ by President Sylvanie Burton of Dominica on the sidelines of the India-CARICOM Summit.

• Over the last five years, trade volume between India and Dominica has been around $2-3 million and has been gradually increasing. 

• India’s top items of exports include pharmaceutical products, vehicles, ceramic products,  and iron & steel. while Dominica exports mainly scrap metals.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)