The Bahamas and India Reaffirm Bonds of Friendship on Historic Ministerial Visit
3rd March, 2025. Nassau, The Bahamas. India and The Bahamas have enjoyed diplomatic relations since October 16, 1975, and the visit of His Excellency Pabitra Margherita, State Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India marks a historic milestone as the very first Ministerial Bilateral visit from India to The Bahamas. The visit further solidifies the growing partnership between both nations in areas of mutual interest, particularly in environmental conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
After official bilaterals held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Prime Minister, Minister Margherita had a tour of the Village Road Retreat, Bahamas National Trust (BNT). Minister Margherita was hosted by the Hon. Zane Lightbourne, Minister of State for the Environment and Natural Resources, during this visit, which underscored the shared commitment of The Bahamas and India to environmental sustainability and climate action.
Bahamian and Indian Officials Meeting.
The Bahamas National Trust, the oldest environmental non-governmental organization (NGO) in the Caribbean, plays a critical role in managing national parks and protecting the country’s natural resources. Minister Margherita’s visit highlighted India’s interest in supporting global environmental conservation efforts and provided an opportunity to discuss strategies for strengthening cooperation between the two nations in climate resilience, biodiversity protection, and sustainable development.
(L-R) BNT Executive Director Lakeshia Anderson-Role; the Hon. Zane Lightbourne, Minister for the Environment; Minister Pabitra Margherita, Indian Minister of State of External Affairs and Director General Jerusa Ali planting an Lignum Vitae Tree at the Bahamas National Trust Retreat.
As a symbolic gesture of friendship and shared environmental commitment, Minister Margherita planted a Yellow Elder tree, the national flower of The Bahamas, in the gardens of the Bahamas National Trust. This initiative aligns with India’s A Tree for Mother campaign, launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Environment Day 2024. The campaign encourages individuals to plant a tree in honor of their mothers, promoting environmental stewardship and sustainability. Minister Margherita’s participation in this initiative further emphasized the shared values of India and The Bahamas in fostering ecological preservation.
Minister Margherita’s visit also follows up on discussions between Prime Minister Philip Davis and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit in Guyana in November 2024, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening diplomatic relations.
India has demonstrated its commitment to supporting The Bahamas in times of crisis. In September 2019, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian, the Government of India donated $1 million in solidarity with the people of The Bahamas to assist with relief and recovery efforts. This act of goodwill reflects the strong and enduring friendship between the two nations.
His Excellency Pabitra Margherita is a distinguished public servant with a background in media, arts, and governance. Minister Margherita took the oath as a Cabinet Minister of State in the Third Modi Ministry and holds the position of Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs as well as the Ministry of Textiles.
India has played a key role in advancing education and capacity building within the Caribbean region. Through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC), India offers scholarships and fellowships to member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). These opportunities provide training for capacity building both in-person and online via digital platforms. Interested individuals can access further details at: Studyinindia.gov.in or Itecgoi.in/index.
The Government of The Bahamas welcomes Minister Margherita’s visit as a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations with India and looks forward to continued collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
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