Indian Diaspora Council

Shared heritage, aspirations and interests

www.indiandiasporacouncil.org

Tel: +1-347-494-1502

Post Office Box 650523 New York 11365 USA

May 15, 2018 (EST-USA)

NEWS

Hon. Anupriya Singh Patel, India's Min. of State for Health & Family Welfare Visits Grenada

“The visit of the Hon. Mrs. Anupriya Singh Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare of the

Government of India to Grenada, marks a historic moment in the relationship of the two countries. It was the

first time that a Minister of the Government of India made an official visit to the country, opening opportunities

for increased bilateral cooperation and mutual advancement.

“The Hon. Minister Patel was warmly welcomed to Grenada upon her arrival at Maurice Bishop International

Airport on Saturday, May 12th, 2018 by a delegation which included the Hon. Minister Nickolas Steele,

Permanent Secretary, Pauline Peters from the Ministry of Health, and the Honorary Consul of India to Grenada,

Shadel Nyack Compton.

“Accompanying the Hon. Minister of State of India on her visit to Grenada was His Excellency Bishwadip

Dey, High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago concurrently accredited to Grenada,

Montserrat and Dominica; Mr. Amresh Bahadur Pal from the Government of India, and Mr. Aniruddha Das,

Second Secretary to the High Commission of India to Trinidad.

“On Sunday, May 13th, 2018, the Hon. Minister Patel and her delegation were given an island tour hosted by

the Honorary Consul, Ms. Nyack Compton. The Hon. Minister paid her respects at the bust statue of Mahatma

Gandhi at Mc Donald College where she and the High Commissioner to India laid a garland on the monument

of the pre-eminent leader of Indian nationalism.

“Hon Minister Patel also visited the original landing site of East Indians in Grenada at Irwin’s Bay, St Patrick

where she and the High Commissioner threw petals into the sea. The first relations between India and Grenada

began here on May 1st, 1857 when 375 Indentured Indian’s arrived on ‘The Maidstone’ ship from Calcutta.

Diplomatic relations with India started in 1975 and last year, Grenadian Prime Dr. the Right Honourable

Minister Keith Mitchell declared May 1st as an official holiday marking Indian Arrival Day.

“Belmont Estate Managing Director and Honorary Consul Ms. Nyack Compton hosted a luncheon for the Hon.

Minister Patel and her delegation and they were given a tour of the Estate including the organic chocolate

making process. They then proceeded to Grand Etang National Park and Forest Reserve, where they were

shown the pristine beauty of Grenadian nature and wildlife.

“That evening, Ms. Nyack Compton hosted a welcome reception for the Hon. Minister Patel where she was

introduced her to the Indian diaspora community and Grenadians. At the reception, his Excellency High

Commissioner Dey stressed the importance of this visit and the strong bond between India and Grenada. He

also affirmed his support and India’s allegiance to our nation.

“The Hon. Minister Patel spoke to the guests emphasizing India’s ongoing commitment and support to Indian

nationals and Indo-Grenadians especially in times of crisis. She stated that India is always devoted to her

people wherever they are in the world and spoke of her personal affection for our Indo-Grenadian community.

She likewise expressed the Indian Government’s intention to maintain and increase dialogue, visits, support,

and links with Grenada and mentioned the changes that the current Government of India had made under Prime

Minister Narendra Modi, especially the advancements for women.

“On Monday, the Hon. Minister Patel met with Prime Minister Mitchell, delivering a congratulatory letter

from India’s Prime Minister Modi. She relayed that Prime Minister Modi was impressed by Prime Minister

Mitchell’s landslide victory for a third time, adding that it truly showed the confidence of Grenadians in his

leadership. Minister Patel and the Prime Minister discussed several areas for collaboration including Health,

IT, Agriculture and Food Processing and Human Resource Development.

“A highlight of the trip was the signing of the International Solar Alliance agreement by Minister for Foreign

Affairs and Labour, the Hon. Peter David and the Hon. Minister Patel on Monday afternoon.

The International Solar Alliance is an alliance of more than 121 countries, located between the Tropic of

Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. First proposed by Prime Minister Modi in 2015, the objective is to

efficiently utilise our solar energy to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Minister David in his remarks

declared Grenada’s commitment to expanding the use of solar energy in Grenada and conveyed his full support

to this environmental initiative.

“The Hon. Minister Patel also met with Grenada’s Minister for Health and Social Security the Hon. Nickolas

Steele. They discussed mutual health concerns and challenges, and examined avenues for further engagement

and support. Recognising India’s leadership in health care systems and technology, Minister Patel offered

resources from the Indian government to Grenada. The very successful visit was concluded with with a dinner

hosted by Hon. Peter David, at the Spice Island Beach Resort.

“Newly appointed Honorary Consul Ms. Nyack Compton was delighted to host Hon Minister Patel and very

enthusiastic about the deepening of relations. On her parting, she thanked Minister Patel for the historic visit

and added: “We are grateful for the strong commitment that Prime Minister Modi has pledged as a

development partner of Grenada. I am optimistic that as a result of this visit our bilateral relations will be

strengthened. We look forward to more visits, collaborations, and partnerships with the Government of India

– our Friend”.

Media Release Issued by:

The Office of the Honorary Consul of India to Grenada Shadel Nyack Compton

Honorary Consul of India to Grenada Consular Office, Victoria Street, Grenville

St Andrew, Grenada, West Indies

T: +1 473 442 5115 & +1 473 533 9525

E: honconsulindiatogrenada@gmail.com

For more information from IDC contact: Ashook Ramsaran at AshookRamsaran@gmail.com Mobile (USA) +1 917 519 5783

Indian Diaspora Council International (IDC), established in 1997, is an international non-profit organization with global affiliates and

membership in 21 countries with the objective to embrace, engage and enhance the shared heritage, aspirations and interests of persons of

Indian origin with optimum inclusivity.

The Hon. Mrs. Anupriya Singh Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India with

the Right Hon. Dr, Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada

The Honourable Mrs. Anupriya Singh Patel, Minister of State The Right Honorable Dr, Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada;

for Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India with the The Hon. Mrs. Anupriya Singh Patel, Minister of State for Health &

Right Honorable Dr, Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada Family Welfare of the Gov’t. of India; His Excellency Bishwadip Dey

High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago

(l-r) The Right Honorable Dr, Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada; Ms Shadel Nyack Compton, Honorary Consul of India to Grenada;

Permanent Secretary, Pauline Peters and the Hon. Minister Nickolas Steele, from the Ministry of Health; the Honourable Mrs. Anupriya Singh

Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India; His Excellency Bishwadip Dey, High Commissioner of

India to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago; Mr. Aniruddha Das, Second Secretary to the High Commission of India to Trinidad

(l-r) Ms Shadel Nyack Compton, Honorary Consul of India to Grenada;; The Hon. Peter David, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Labour and the

Honourable Mrs. Anupriya Singh Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India; His Excellency Bishwadip Dey,

High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

(l-r) Mrs Andal Balu, visiting guest; the Honourable Mrs. Anupriya Singh Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare of the

Government of India; Ms Shadel Nyack Compton, Honorary Consul of India to Grenada; His Excellency Bishwadip Dey, High Commissioner

of India to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago concurrently accredited to Grenada, Montserrat and Dominica; Mr. Aniruddha Das, Second

Secretary to the High Commission of India to Trinidad; Mr. Amresh Bahadur Pal from the Government of India

The Honourable Mrs. Anupriya Singh Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India (presenting garland);

(l-r) His Excellency Bishwadip Dey, High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago concurrently accredited to Grenada,

Montserrat and Dominica; Ms Shadel Nyack Compton, Honorary Consul of India to Grenada; Mr. Aniruddha Das, Second Secretary to the

High Commission of India to Trinidad

The Hon. Peter David, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Labour and the Honourable Mrs. Anupriya Singh Patel, Minister of State for Health

and Family Welfare of the Government of India