Happy Monday!

In this week’s newsletter, we cover the visit of the President of India Droupadi Murmu to Suriname and a number of new partnerships between the two countries as well as government restructuring. We also cover a government separation misstep.

India’s President Visits Suriname

• Indian President Droupadi Murmu has been awarded the “Drager Groot Ordeketen in de Ereorde van de Gele Ster" which is translated to Grand Chain Bearer in the Order of the Yellow Star of the Order of Merit. It is the highest honour the Surinamese government gives out and was awarded to President Murmu by President Santokhi.

• President Santokhi commended President Murmu's leadership qualities and role in promoting inclusivity and empowering women.

• The award signifies the historical ties between Suriname and India and pays tribute to the strength and dedication of ancestors.

• President Santokhi expressed gratitude and encouraged President Murmu to continue working towards bringing nations together and fostering peace and development in the two countries.

President Murmu’s and President Santokhi have also signed a partnership in the agricultural industry in Suriname

• Suriname and India have formed a partnership in agriculture, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate from 2023 to 2027.

• The agreement includes cooperation in various areas such as agricultural extension, public-private partnerships, mechanization, food processing, and soil/water management.

• The partnership aims to exchange knowledge and technology, enhance food security, promote sustainable practices, and develop human resources through training and capacity-building initiatives.

• The collaboration is expected to bring economic opportunities, increase productivity, improve export potential, and stimulate rural economies. Suriname values the benefits of this partnership, including shared expertise and the achievement of sustainable agricultural development.

Alongside President Murmu’s visit, Suriname and India have restructured their debt

• India has restructured Suriname's existing loans and payment arrears amounting to approximately US$39 million. Suriname expresses gratitude for India's support in finding a sustainable solution to its debt issues.

• The country now needs to negotiate debt restructuring with China, another major creditor.

• The restructuring agreement for bilateral loans was signed in March, and the agreement for the remaining facilities was finalized in June.

• The repayment periods for the loans range from 15.5 to 20.5 years, with a fixed annual interest rate of 1.20%.

150 years of Hindustani Immigration to Suriname

• Last week Suriname celebrated and commemorated 150 years of Hindu immigration with the unveiling of new monuments, the awarding of honours to President Droupadi Murmu, and a float procession.

• President Santokhi and First Lady Mellisa Santokhi participated in various activities, including planting a Chandan tree and offering garlands at monuments honouring immigrant activists, Baba and Mai. They also laid wreaths at a monument representing Suriname and its major ethnic groups.

• At Fort Zeelandia, monuments were unveiled, symbolizing resistance fighters and the integration of Indian immigrants in Suriname.

• This coincided and concluded with the affirmation of the history between Suriname and India and the future relationship between the two countries.

Suriname’s Minister of Justice and Police Kenneth Amoksi’s bungled deportation leads to rebukes

• Recently, the Surinamese government arrested and deported Regita 'Asawini' Edenburg, who was recently arrested and deported from Suriname.

• According to the Minister of Justice and Police, Kenneth Amoksi, Edenburg was deported as her activities posed a threat to the rule of law and public order in Suriname.

• Edenburg was deported from Suriname based on activities such as territorial separatism, the establishment of a people's tribunal, and the intimidation of entrepreneurs. The minister denied any violation of territorial integrity during the deportation through French Guiana and explains the legal procedures followed.

• While Edenburg claimed she was abducted by the police, Amoksi stated that she was rather located and deported. He mentioned that she is barred from entering the country for a year.

• In response, Edenburg plans to take international action to challenge her treatment in Suriname. Initially, she was to be deported through French Guiana but protested with French authorities that she felt like she was kidnapped and held against her will.

• After encountering difficulties with the French police and having incorrect deportation documents, she was returned to Suriname and then voluntarily left for the Netherlands after spending time in jail.

Criticism from the Dutch Ambassador

• Dutch Ambassador Henk van der Zwan criticized the Surinamese authorities for not following the Vienna Convention in the deportation case as Edenburg is a Dutch citizen.

• He stated that the embassy was not informed about the situation as required by the convention and expressed frustration at the lack of a concrete response from Suriname; finding the handling of the situation incomprehensible.

• He also questioned the Surinamese authorities' claim that Edenburg posed a threat to national security and emphasized his expectation of a response through diplomatic channels.

• The ambassador made these comments during an event where education ministers from Suriname and the Netherlands signed an agreement for collaboration in education between the two countries.