India and the Dominican Republic explore avenues to enhance cooperation across various sectors including defense, space, education, trade, commerce, and renewables. These were on top of the agenda of talks of a meeting between Vice President Ms. Raquel Peña Rodríguez of the Dominican Republic and India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar. This significant discussion coincides with the celebration of the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Furthermore, Jaishankar and Vice President Rodríguez engaged in fruitful discussions concerning regional and international matters of mutual concern.”
Expanding Cooperation Between Dominican Republic and India
The Dominican Republic has shown a keen interest in venturing into space exploration and is in the process of establishing its own national space agency. Recognizing the need for guidance and technical assistance, the Dominican Republic has sought advice from the Indian Space Agency (ISRO). This partnership began in 2021 and has already borne fruit.
According to Roberto Alvarez, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, more than 15 Dominican professionals have participated in training programs, including UNNATI, which focuses on nano-satellite manufacturing, remote sensing, and satellite data handling. The next phase of this collaboration involves organizing a seminar in the Dominican Republic, led by ISRO specialists, aimed at accelerating the development of the Dominican Space Agency.
During the recent meeting of Jaishankar to the Caribbean nation, it was announced that the Ministry of Defence would gain access to specialized training opportunities in India, starting in 2023. These training programs, offered under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Program for Defense (ITEC-Defense), aim to foster deeper understanding and knowledge sharing between the armed forces of both nations, ultimately paving the way for broader defence cooperation.
Space Endeavours
The establishment of a national space agency marks an exciting development for the Dominican Republic. Seeking guidance and technical cooperation from India reflects its commitment to advancing its capabilities in this field. Access to training programs like UNNATI equips Dominican professionals with essential skills in nano-satellite manufacturing and satellite data handling, laying the foundation for their involvement in future space missions. With an upcoming seminar conducted by ISRO specialists, the Dominican Republic anticipates significant progress in its space development initiatives.
By leveraging the expertise of the Indian military, the Dominican Ministry of Defense aims to enhance its capabilities through specialized training opportunities. The ITEC-Defense program provides a platform for Dominican military personnel to gain valuable insights, exchange knowledge, and strengthen bilateral ties. This initial step toward closer cooperation sets the stage for future endeavors in defense collaboration, promoting a deeper understanding of each nation’s defense strategies and fostering cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Through engagement with the Indian Space Agency and access to specialized training in defense matters, the Dominican Republic is positioning itself for growth and progress. These collaborative efforts reflect the Dominican Republic’s aspirations to establish its own space agency and elevate its defense capabilities, forging a lasting partnership with India in the fields of space exploration and defense cooperation.
Meeting with the Indian President
During her visit to India, Vice President Ms. Raquel Peña Rodríguez also called on the President of India, Ms. Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan on October 3, 2023. President Murmu noted the warm and friendly bilateral relations between the two countries, based on shared democratic values and a broad consensus on global issues.
The Dominican Republic is India’s eighth-largest trading partner, and President Murmu expressed confidence in further diversifying the trade portfolio. She highlighted the potential for collaboration and the exchange of experiences and expertise in areas such as pharmaceutical products, marine science, meteorology, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and digital payment technologies.
Capacity building is a central pillar of India-Dominican Republic cooperation, with India organizing two special ITEC training courses for Dominican Republic officials in critical fields like cybersecurity and remote sensing.
Both leaders agreed that continued exchanges and contacts between India and the Dominican Republic would further strengthen their bilateral ties. Vice President Ms. Rodríguez’s visit also includes meetings with her counterpart, Jagdeep Dhankhar, and a conference on the relations between both nations at the Indian Council for World Affairs.