COUNTRY NOTE ON SURINAME
Located at the North-Eastern coast of South America, Suriname is the smallest country of South American continent with an area of 163,820 Sq. Kms. (roughly equal to that of Bangladesh). Suriname is bordered on the North by the Atlantic Ocean while the Southern border touches Brazil. On the east side French Guiana and on the west side Guyana have Marowijne and Corantijn rivers respectively as the borders.
2. Official estimates of population in 2004 stand at 4,93,300. The ethnic groups include Hindustanis 27.4%, Creole 17.7%, Maroon 15.3%, Javanese 14.6%, mixed 12.5%, others (mainly Chinese 6.4%) and unspecified (incl. Brazilians, Guyanese etc.) 6.6%. The size of the Hindustani community is estimated to be about 1,36,000. Official language is Dutch. Sranan Tango (Creole) and Sarnami Hindi are widely spoken.
3. After its discovery by a Spaniard, Alonso de Ojeda in 1499, Spanish settlements were set up around 1530. For about two centuries, possession changed hands among the Spaniards, French, British and Dutch. Finally, in 1816 under the Treaty of Breda, it was handed over to the Dutch by the British in exchange for New Amsterdam [now New York] of the U.S.A.
4. Earlier, the economy was dominated by plantations - mainly sugar, coffee, cocoa and cotton. Slaves from Africa worked on them but many ran away into the jungles and are now known as Bush-negroes [Maroons]. Indentured labourers called "Girmitiya" were first brought in from China in 1853. Later on from 1873 to 1916, Indians were brought in mostly from Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar [Bhojpur]. Immigration of Indian labourers was stopped due to pressure from national leaders.
5. Suriname became an independent republic on November 25th 1975. Since then the Parliamentary democracy has been disrupted twice - from 1980 to 1987 and again in 1990-91. In 1980, 16 non-Commissioned army officers led by Desi Bouterse overthrew the elected Government and ruled the country through a puppet civilian Government till 1987 and on 24th December, 1990, the military officers, once again, forced the resignation of the civilian government and installed a puppet Government. However, due to international pressure, new elections were held in May, 1991 and the New Front Coalition comprising of the political parties representing major ethnic groups such as creoles, javians including the Hindustani based Progressive Reform Party (VHP) was able to win a majority in the National Assembly and the NPS candidate, Ronald Venetiaan, became President. This coalition has ruled the country since then except for the period between September, 1996 to May, 2000 when the country was ruled by a combination of NDP, VHP dissidents and other smaller parties.
6. The case of 1982 murders against former military dictator Bouterse has been re-opened (after 25 years) and the trial has started on 30th November, 2007. However, it is believed that nothing much may come out of the trial being allegedly initiated under pressure from the US, the Netherlands and other Western countries where Desi Bouterse has also been convicted for drug and smuggling-related offences. Tensions surrounding the trial were less than had been feared, but there remained some concerns over the possible reaction of opposition forces in the event of a guilty verdict.
7. Suriname is rich in natural resources like bauxite, gold, oil, kaolin, granite and timber. Its economy has been dominated by the exports of alumina, oil and gold. Major industries include bauxite and alumina, gold mining, crude oil, fisheries and agriculture. Major crop is rice. In 2006, alumina accounted for approximately 46.2 % of total exports.
8. Suriname's relations with India have always been cordial. India' Embassy in Suriname was opened in 1977. There have been several high level visits from the Surinamese side but no high dignitary has visited from India since 1994 except for the visit of Sh. Anand Sharma, MOS(AS) who led the Indian delegation for the 4th India-Suriname JCM which was held at Paramaribo in May,2008. In 2009 the Vice President of Surianme Mr. Ramdien Sardjoe was the chief guest at the PBD, 2009.
9. An Agreement to set up a Joint Commission was signed in September, 1992 and 4 Joint Commission Meetings have been held so far. The 4th India-Suriname JCM was held in Paramaribo in May, 2008. Shri Anand Sharma, Minister of State for External Affairs, who co-chaired the meet, announced Government of India Credit Lines worth US $ 55 million, out of which projects worth over US $ 25 million have already been identified. A fresh amount of US $ 30 million has been earmarked for the new projects to be submitted by the Government of Suriname. As a special gesture, Shri Anand Sharma also announced India's intent to set up an IT Centre in Suriname as a gift.
10. So far, India has provided 4 Credit Lines to Suriname amounting to US$60 million approx. for various projects such as water drainage project, steel rolling mill, heavy duty excavators, construction of an electric transmission line and import of equipment by Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Public Works. Two more Credit Lines were approved in the financial year 2007-08 - LOC for US$ 10.4 million towards the II phase of Pumping Stations Project and another LOC has been utilized among others for purchase of fire tenders for US$ 4.3 million, coastal equipment network for US$ 2.946 million and purchase of 3 Chetak Helicopters for US$ 13.4 million.
11. Our trade and economic linkages with Suriname have been somewhat modest. During 2008-2009 bilateral trade between India and Suriname was US$ 14.66 million. During April, to October, 2009, it stood at US$ 14.27 million.
12. India offered 35 slots to Suriname under ITEC Programme during the current financial year. However, Suriname is not able to utilize all the slots due to delay in nominating the suitable candidates.
13. Indian Cultural Centre, opened in 1978, is the most active cultural establishment in Suriname. Due to the efforts of the Indian Cultural Centre, Hindi language has been revived in Suriname and about 100 voluntary Hindi schools are functioning at present in various districts of Suriname. Indian Cultural Centre also holds classes in Yoga, kathak dance, Tabla spreading awareness about Indian culture and Hindi.
March 19, 2010