The assassination of Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise at his private residence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, recently made headlines worldwide. The news has underscored the ongoing instability and longstanding struggles that have bedeviled this Caribbean nation.
About Haiti
Haiti is a nation located in the Caribbean Sea and includes the western third of Hispaniola island along with smaller islands like Gonâve, Tortue (Tortuga), Grande Caye, and Vache. Port-au-Prince serves as Haiti’s capital. The population predominantly descends from African slaves who won their freedom from France in 1804.
The country holds the distinction of being the world’s first independent Black-led republic, making it the second in the Americas, after the United States, to break free from colonial rule following around two centuries under Spanish control and over a century under French rule. Despite these historic achievements, Haiti remains plagued by persistent poverty, political and social challenges, and frequent natural disasters. It is considered the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with a distressing history of foreign interventions, economic exploitation, and authoritarian governance.
Recent Instability
Haiti’s most recent upheaval revolves around disputes over the presidency of Jovenel Moise. Elected for a five-year term in 2016, Moise did not assume office until the following year due to contention over election results.
His tenure further exacerbated the political and economic situation in the country. Moise insisted that he was entitled to another year in power, a claim vehemently rejected by the opposition. In February 2021, when Moise’s adversaries declared his term over, they appointed a Supreme Court Judge as interim president. Moise labeled this a coup attempt and subsequently arrested 23 opponents.
During this period, Haiti also saw a rise in violent crimes, such as kidnappings, rapes, and murders, as rival gangs fought each other and the police for control. Human rights activists have accused Moise’s government of having connections to these criminal gangs. Already this year, at least 278 Haitians have been killed in gang-related violence.
India-Haiti Relations
The relationship between India and Haiti, while limited, has been amicable. The two countries established diplomatic relations in September 1996, with Haiti appointing an Honorary Consul in New Delhi in October 2014. In the past, India dispatched a police troop and a Formed Police Unit (FPU) to Haiti on peacekeeping missions under the United Nations.
On a commercial level, trade between India and Haiti is modest but growing, mainly consisting of pharmaceutical goods, textiles, rubber products, cosmetics, and plastic and linoleum products. As a goodwill gesture, India offers duty-free access to Haitian products.
India also extends assistance to Haiti under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program, which provides training courses in India, deputes Indian experts abroad, supplies equipment, and offers aid for disaster relief.
Disaster Relief Efforts
India has been actively involved in Haiti’s disaster relief efforts, contributing medicines and financial aid after multiple hurricanes. Notably, it provided substantial assistance in response to the damage caused by Hurricane Noel in 2007 and Hurricane Matthew in 2016.
Despite the strained political situation, the Indian community in Haiti, comprising mostly professionals such as doctors, engineers, and technicians, continues its efforts to contribute positively to the country.
