Antigua and Barbuda–India relations: Difference between revisions

Secretary (AMS, CPV& SA) in the [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|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 (Antigua and Barbuda)|Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Trade]], and the [[Minister of Health]].<ref name="MEA2016" />

==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.<ref name="MEA2016" /> The main [[commodities]] exported by India to Antigua and Barbuda are non-railway [[vehicle]]s, [[iron]] and [[steel]], [[pharmaceuticals]], and [[Clothing|apparel and clothing]]. The major commodities imported by India from Antigua and Barbuda are [[fruit]]s, [[Nut (fruit)|nut]]s and [[Aluminium]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Total Trade|url=http://commerce.gov.in/EIDB.aspx|website=Department of Commerce|access-date=15 April 2017|language=en}}</ref>

[[Manipal University]] signed a [[memorandum of understanding]] with the [[Government of Antigua and Barbuda]] on 19 January 2007 to establish an [[Offshore Campus|offshore campus]] in Antigua.<ref name = "DH">{{cite web|title=Manipal varsity signs MoU with Antigua|url=http://archive.deccanherald.com/Deccanherald/jan242007/district225912007123.asp|website=Deccan Herald|access-date=19 April 2017|date=24 January 2007}}{{Dead link|date=September 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=News » News headlines|url=http://www.daijiworld.com/news/printer.asp?nid=29785|website=www.daijiworld.com|access-date=19 April 2017}}</ref> Manipal Education acquired complete ownership of the [[American University of Antigua]] (AUA) from [[New York City|New York]]-based Greater Caribbean Learning Resources in December 2008. Manipal Education subsequently spent {{INR}}150 [[crore]] expanded the campus to increase the [[student]] intake from 1,000 students to 2,500.<ref>{{cite web|title=Manipal Education buys out Antigua University|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/services/education/manipal-education-buys-out-antigua-university/articleshow/3794485.cms?|website=The Economic Times|access-date=19 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Pathak|first1=Kalpana|title=Manipal University in expansion mode|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/management/manipal-university-in-expansion-mode-112032900091_1.html|website=Business Standard India|access-date=19 April 2017|date=29 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Small town, big business|url=http://www.outlookbusiness.com/specials/a-class-act/small-town-big-business-2447|website=Outlook Business|access-date=19 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Krishnan|first1=Aarati|title=Education can be paying too, the Manipal group way|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/education-can-be-paying-too-the-manipal-group-way/article4455921.ece|website=The Hindu Business Line|access-date=19 April 2017|language=en|date=26 February 2013}}</ref> Today, the AUA has one of the largest campuses in [[the Caribbean]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Premji set to buy 10% in Manipal Education for Rs 900 crore - Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Premji-set-to-buy-10-in-Manipal-Education-for-Rs-900-crore/articleshow/40886467.cms|website=The Times of India|access-date=19 April 2017}}</ref>

== Cultural relations ==

As of December 2016, around 150 [[Indian people|Indians]] reside in Antigua and Barbuda. The community is involved in [[Textile industry|garments]], jewellery and [[Pharmaceutical industry|pharmaceuticals]], and some are [[medical student]]s.<ref name="MEA2016" />

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 people|Chinese]] nationals.<ref>{{cite web|title=Caribbean nations wooing Indian immigrants with attractive citizenship-for-cash offers - Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Caribbean-nations-wooing-Indian-immigrants-with-attractive-citizenship-for-cash-offers/articleshow/21754345.cms|website=The Times of India|access-date=19 April 2017}}</ref> In September 2014, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda appointed Indian [[Entrepreneurship|entrepreneur]] [[Rajat Khare]] as the country's [[brand ambassador]] to promote [[tourism]], investment and [[homeland security]] solutions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Antigua names Indian entrepreneur Rajat Khare its brand ambassador|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/antigua-names-indian-entrepreneur-rajat-khare-its-brand-ambassador-114092401146_1.html|website=Business Standard India|access-date=19 April 2017|date=24 September 2014}}</ref>

== Foreign aid ==

India assisted Antigua and Barbuda to carry out a [[feasibility study]] for an [[IT park|IT Park]] in 2008, and a feasibility study for a [[sewage treatment]] centre in 2009.<ref name="MEA2016">{{cite web|title=India - Antigua and Barbuda Relations|url=http://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/antigua_and_barbuda.pdf|website=Ministry of External Affairs|access-date=19 April 2017|date=December 2016}}</ref> India provided $400,000 to Antigua and Barbuda on 20 March 2017 to install [[solar panel]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=India and Antigua and Barbuda to cooperate in areas of Medical Tourism, Health and Wellness, Energy and IT|url=http://www.antiguatribune.com/india-and-antigua-and-barbuda-to-cooperate-in-areas-of-medical-tourism-health-and-wellness-energy-and-it/|website=Antigua Tribune|access-date=19 April 2017|date=20 March 2017}}</ref>

Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda are eligible for [[scholarship]]s under the [[Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme]].<ref name="MEA2016" />

==References==

{{reflist}}

{{Foreign relations of Antigua and Barbuda}}

{{Foreign relations of India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Antigua and Barbuda-India relations}}

[[Category:Bilateral relations of Antigua and Barbuda|India ]]

[[Category:Bilateral relations of India|Antigua and Barbuda]]