A sizable Indian diaspora resides in Suriname, which has aided in strengthening cultural and interpersonal relations between the two nations.
Suriname, a country in northeastern South America with just over 612,000 people, is the home to a sizable Indian diaspora. (AFP)
To address the issue of illegal immigration from India to the tiny South American country, India and Suriname are now in negotiations.
Suriname, a country in northeastern South America with just over 612,000 people, is the home to a sizable Indian diaspora.
People with knowledge of the situation claim that Suriname serves as a stopover on the way to the US.
This prompted Suriname to reinstate visa requirements for visitors from more than 20 nations in April, including India. This change occurred only a year after Suriname relaxed its procedures for applying for visas from a number of nations.
In response to a formal press inquiry, India’s minister of external affairs remained silent.
The foreign ministry of Suriname declared in 2022 that all nationalities would no longer need visas to enter the country for vacation or family visits. All that was required of visitors was a $25 entrance fee. The policy became operative on July 1, 2022.
The individuals mentioned above claimed that this regulation needed to be changed since foreigners were coming to Suriname with the intention of immigrating to nations like the US.
“Over the past few months, the Directorate of National Security, Immigration Department, and Foreign Affairs conducted an extensive study. What we observe is proof that visa-free travel is not being utilized for its original purpose, according to the country’s foreign minister, Albert Ramdin, who was mentioned in local media.
This resulted in the reinstatement of visa requirements for many nations, including India.
We consider the national interest as well. As a conduit, we don’t want to have issues with other nations. Minister Ramdin was also cited as saying, “We don’t want to be recognised as a country that enables human smuggling and unlawful human movement.
Later this year, India and Suriname may discuss the issue at their Joint Commission sessions. A sizable Indian diaspora resides in Suriname, which has aided in strengthening cultural and interpersonal relations between the two nations. Approximately 37% of the population of India is of Indian ancestry, according to the ministry of external affairs of that nation. These ties have been fortified by New Delhi. Chandrikapersad Santokhi, the president of Suriname who is of Indian descent, was invited by India to attend this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conference in January as a Special Guest of Honour.
Source: livemint