India-Curaçao Relations: A Growing Partnership

India and Curaçao, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the southern Caribbean, share cordial bilateral ties rooted in historical migration, trade, and cultural exchanges. As an associate member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Curaçao benefits from India's broader engagement with the region, formalized through the India-CARICOM Summits in 2019 and 2024. These forums emphasize cooperation in renewable energy, climate resilience, infrastructure, agriculture and food security,  healthcare, technology and innovation, and capacity building.  At the 2019 Summit, PM Modi had announced a USD 14 million grant for community development projects in the CARICOM and another 150 million Line of Credit for solar, renewable energy and climate- change related projects.  Consular jurisdiction of Curacao shifted in June 2022 from the Embassy of India in Caracas, Venezuela, to the Embassy in Panama.

Curacao used to be the capital of the Netherlands Antilles till 10 October, 2010, when the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved and Curacao was given internal autonomy, like Aruba in 1986, within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is situated 56 kilometers off the northern coast of Venezuela. It has a population of 156,180 (2025) and an area of 444 square kilometers.
Curacao is strategically located. It has good relations with most of its neighbours. The population is mixed - the island is visibly multi-ethnic and multi-cultural: there is an Afro-Caribbean majority, and also sizeable minorities of Dutch, Latin Americans, Indians, Chinese, French and Arabs living on the island. Many faiths are also represented.
 
The King of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is the Head of State and is represented in Curacao by a Governor appointed by him for a six-year term. Executive power is in the hands of a Council of Ministers headed by an elected Prime Minister. The 21-member Parliament (Staten) is elected every four years on the basis of a multi-party system. Curacao’s judicial system, which has been derived mainly from the Dutch, operates independently of the legislature and the executive. Jurisdiction, including appeal, lies with the Common Court of Justice (shared with Aruba, Sint Maarten and the BES islands) and the Supreme Court of Justice in the Netherlands.

High-level visits underscore warming relations. In June 2007, India's Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri Vayalar Ravi, met Curaçao's then-Prime Minister Emily de Jongh-Elhage. In August 2023, Curaçao's Minister of Economic Development, Ruisandro Cijntje, received India's then Ambassador to the Netherlands, Reenat Sandhu, discussing investments in IT, tourism, and trade facilitation. On December 2, 2025, Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas welcomed Ambassador Kumar Tuhin, reaffirming historical bonds and exploring  exchanges in various fields, including  healthcare and capacity development programme. During his visit to Curacao, Amb Kumar Tuhin also paid courtesy call on Governor Mauritsz de Kort and discussed bilateral ties in trade, education, culture and health, exploring collaboration opportunities and connecting with the Indian diaspora.  Bilateral trade remains modest, focused on Indian textiles, spices, and pharmaceuticals imported by the diaspora for local and regional re-export. Challenges include lengthy shipping routes (45-60 days from India). Yet, potential abounds in Curaçao's offshore finance, tourism, and logistics sectors.

The Indian Community in Curaçao: Profile and Heritage

The Indian community in Curaçao comprises approximately 1,500 persons, predominantly Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), with a smaller number of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). The community is predominantly Sindhi, with additional representation from South India, Gujarat, and North India, reflecting India’s regional diversity.

Many families are second, third, and fourth-generation residents, well integrated into Curaçao’s multicultural society. Community members are generally fluent in Papiamentu, Dutch, English, and Spanish, while also preserving Indian languages such as Hindi and other regional languages.

Traditionally active in retail and commerce, the Indian community has diversified into  restaurants, hospitality, healthcare, accounting, taxation, insurance, Indian grocery businesses and other professional services. Curaçao also hosts around 100–125 Indian medical students undertaking clinical rotations and academic training at the island’s medical universities.

Cultural and religious life centres around the impressive Hindu Temple in Willemstad, established in 2004, which brings together diverse Hindu traditions and celebrates major festivals such as Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Navratri. In the same year, the community facilitated the establishment of Curaçao’s first crematorium, CREFONA, operated by a foundation with significant Indian community representation.

In addition to cultural activities, cricket is actively played within the Indian community, fostering camaraderie and youth engagement. Inter-island cricket tournaments are planned for 2026, further strengthening sporting and people-to-people links within the Caribbean region.

Overall, the Indian community in Curaçao represents a well-integrated and entrepreneurial diaspora, contributing positively to the island’s economic, social, cultural, and sporting landscape while maintaining strong ties with India.

The Embassy, in collaboration with ICCR, tries to send cultural troupes to the islands periodically. The last such ICCR-sponsored troupe came in May 2009 and performed to packed houses in Curacao.

Contributions to Curaçao's Economy

The Indian community significantly bolsters Curaçao's high-income economy. As retailers and wholesalers, they dominate downtown Willemstad's commerce, operating chains like Boolchand's—headquartered in Curaçao with outlets across Aruba, Sint Maarten, and the US Virgin Islands—selling electronics, jewelry, and apparel. In the Free Trade Zone, Sindhi firms export Indian goods to Latin America, generating jobs and forex inflows. Indian entrepreneurs  employ locals, supporting tourism (1.5 million visitors annually) through duty-free imports. Their remittances and re-exports enhance trade diversity, while professionals in energy and IT aid Curaçao's blue economy push, including sustainable reef projects. Local leaders, including Prime Ministers, praise their role in economic vitality and social integration. Consular matters dominate the links between Embassy of India and the people of Curacao mainly because of Indian and PIO communities residing there. 

Honorary Consul of India (Curacao): Jagdish  Mirpuri

Jagdish Mirpuri has been based in Curaçao since 1986 and serves as the Honorary Consul of India in Curaçao, supporting consular facilitation, diaspora welfare, and bilateral engagement under the Embassy of India, The Hague. A seasoned business professional and community leader, he is the Founder & Managing Director of Royal Gems and Mr. Tablecloth and has held senior leadership roles across commerce and community institutions, including IMANA and the Curaçao Indian Business Association. He has also contributed to humanitarian initiatives, including coordination support during Hurricane Irma and COVID-era repatriation and relief efforts. Contact: Honorary Consul of India, Matanciastraat 18, Willemstad, Curaçao | Tel/WhatsApp: +599 9 691 6313 | Email: royalgemscuracao@gmail.com