A Legacy of Resilience, Rule of Law, and Heritage
By Dr. Shankar Balachandran
Former Ambassador of India to Suriname (2021–2024)
It is with profound sorrow and a deep sense of personal loss that I pay tribute to the late Chandrikapersad Santokhi. As Suriname prepares to lay to rest its former President, I reflect on a leader whose tenure was defined by an unwavering commitment to the rule of law, fiscal prudence, and an extraordinary ability to balance his deep Indian diaspora roots with the highest interests of all Surinamese.
During my tenure as Ambassador of India to Suriname, I had the privilege of working closely with him. I witnessed first-hand a leader who governed with transparency, discipline, and inclusivity—placing Suriname’s sovereignty, unity, and diversity above all else.
His cabinet reflected the full mosaic of Surinamese society, comprising coalition partners from every ethnic community. He ensured that each adhered strictly to the rule book, leading always by personal example. He often remarked that his democratic instincts, frugality, and respect for the rule of law came naturally to him as a Hindustani heir to a 5,000-year-old civilisation rooted in acceptance and accommodation.
He reinforced institutional continuity by retaining civil servants based on merit, regardless of their political origins. Even during periods of domestic unrest, including protests over rising prices and wage demands, he upheld the law firmly while maintaining open dialogue—combining firmness with fairness.
Economic Prudence and Compassionate Governance
President Santokhi presided over one of Suriname’s most challenging periods of IMF-guided debt restructuring with remarkable steadiness. He managed national expenditure with exemplary prudence, allowing spending only where grants were unavailable—often attributing this discipline to the frugality embedded in his heritage.
International financial institutions consistently acknowledged Suriname’s adherence to programme targets under his stewardship. His astute foreign policy enabled Suriname to secure development assistance and grant-based projects from multiple partners, with India playing a prominent role.
His compassion for the vulnerable was most evident during the floods and droughts. When requesting food assistance from India, he specifically sought items consumed by all ethnic communities, ensuring equitable distribution. Under this initiative, large consignments—comprising essential food items—reached Suriname. Similarly, he sought medicinal aid to address shortages caused by fiscal constraints, reflecting a governance model rooted in inclusivity and care.
Linguistic, Cultural and Civilisational Harmony
A deeply spiritual man, President Santokhi prayed at places of worship across all faiths. His oath-taking under Vedic chants in Sanskrit was a historic first for any diaspora leader. During his 2023 visit to India, he visited sacred sites including Somnath and Mahakaleshwar temples.
He celebrated the arrival anniversaries of all ethnic communities with equal warmth and dignity. Within the spirit of law and accommodation, he promoted Hindi alongside all other languages of Suriname, recognising linguistic diversity as a cornerstone of national unity. He ensured that Hindi was included in Presidential annual greeting cards and that all India-supported project plaques prominently displayed Hindi alongside Dutch.
His support for holistic well-being extended to traditional knowledge systems. He promptly allotted land in Saramacca for the promotion of indigenous forms of medicine, including Ayurveda—demonstrating both cultural respect and forward-looking healthcare cooperation.
Strengthening the India–Suriname Partnership
Under his leadership, India–Suriname relations reached unprecedented heights, especially as both countries approached the golden jubilee of diplomatic ties established in 1976.
Key milestones included:
- His landmark official visit to India in January 2023 as a special guest at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, where he also addressed major global platforms and held high-level engagements.
- Hosting the President of India, Mrs. Droupadi Murmu, in June 2023 for the 150th anniversary of Indian arrival—an event marked by historic agreements and inclusive national celebration.
- Receiving the Hon’ble Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Shri Om Birla, soon after the COVID period.
- Successful completion of the long-pending debt restructuring process, alongside the implementation of development partnerships, Quick Impact Projects, Buyer’s Credit programmes, and multiple bilateral MoUs across sectors such as agriculture, standards, and trade.
- Establishment and strengthening of institutional mechanisms including Joint Commission Meetings, Joint Working Groups, and the Joint Business Council.
A Defining Moment: Rule of Law in Action
A defining hallmark of President Santokhi’s leadership was his steadfast adherence to due process. This was most evident in the formalisation of the long-pending land transfer for India’s diplomatic complex.
The land, originally gifted in 1992 and reallocated in 1998, remained entangled in legal ambiguities for over three decades despite bipartisan support across successive governments. Under his leadership, the issue was resolved strictly within the legal framework, culminating in the signing of the notarial deed on 11 August 2023 under his patronage.
This historic act not only brought closure to a long-standing matter but also reflected his deep respect for continuity of state policy and the rule of law.
Faith, Grace, and Personal Remembrances
President Santokhi was a man of deep faith and humility. During his visit to India, he was honoured with the hoisting of the sacred saffron flag at Somnath, which he optimistically associated with future success. Yet when the 2025 elections delivered a different verdict, he accepted the will of the people with grace, ensuring a smooth and peaceful transition of power without bitterness.
I recall with great pride presenting him the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2021 in Paramaribo. The ceremony reflected the essence of the man—he invited individuals from every stage of his life, including his closest friend of African descent, who shared the dais and delivered the first address.
In my diplomatic engagement, I maintained warm relations with all political stakeholders, including interactions with former President Desi Bouterse, guided by India’s ethos of inclusivity. President Santokhi himself exemplified this approach—managing sensitive national issues with maturity and respecting sovereign processes.
A Lasting Legacy
Suriname, though vast in territory, has a population comparable to a single Indian municipality and faces unique challenges arising from its rich diversity. President Santokhi often reflected that with a more efficient administrative machinery, his vision could have achieved even greater results. Yet, he built strong and enduring foundations.
He will be remembered as the modern architect of a strong India–Suriname partnership, a leader who placed his nation above personal or partisan considerations, and a statesman of integrity, resilience, and compassion.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi poignantly noted, India has lost a distinguished leader of its diaspora. Suriname has lost a visionary statesman.
On the eve of his funeral, I extend my deepest condolences to his family, the First Lady, and the people of Suriname.
May his legacy of rule-based governance, fiscal prudence, inclusiveness, and unity in diversity continue to inspire future generations.
Rest in Peace, Mr. President.