As Guyana joined in on celebrations to commemorate the 69th Republic Day anniversary of India, the two countries have committed to further strengthen already strong ties which have seen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture and capacity building. Going forward, however, the two States expressed eagerness over the collaboration in emerging sectors, specifically Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and renewable energy.
A section of the gathering including People’s Progressive Party members at the reception held at the Marriott Hotel to commemorate the 69th Republic anniversary of India
During a reception held on Friday evening at the Marriott Hotel, Indian High Commissioner Venkatachalam Mahalingam posited that this year the two countries will be celebrating 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, and India has been paying keen interest to Guyana’s commitment towards solving the environmental issues and climate change through its “Green Economy” initiative.
In response, President David Granger said Guyana looks forward to intensifying its cooperation with India in order to advance its green development agenda.
“We are heartened by India’s offer to develop Guyana’s renewable energy resources in accord with our ‘Green State Development Strategy.’ Guyana welcomes India’s offer to assist in reforming the sugar industry and to enhance trade, investment and collaboration in the fields of agriculture, education, mining and renewable energy, among others.”
According to the Head of State, the Guyana-India relations are founded, unshakably, on mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, cooperation for mutual benefit, respect for treaties and international law and the maintenance of international peace and security – principles expressed universally in the Sanskrit words ‘panch sheel’, meaning ‘five virtues.’
“India continues to contribute to Guyana’s economic development. Our two Republics have signed agreements for development projects in the fields of education, drainage and irrigation, health-care, information communications technology and transportation, among others. The threat of climate change is real for low-lying coastal states. Guyana, although, a negligible contributor to global carbon emissions, remains committed to working with countries such as India to find solutions to this global threat. The two states have been bound by ties of blood and history for nearly one hundred and fifty years since May 5, 1838, when Indian indentured immigrants first began to arrive in British Guiana,” President Granger said.
Meanwhile, High Commissioner Mahalingam noted that having enjoyed excellent relations both in bilateral and multi-lateral fronts, ties between Guyana and India have been guided by shared commonalities in terms of the same colonial past and freedom struggle, and both being multi-racial and multi-cultural societies.
According to the Indian Diplomat, the areas of cooperation between the two countries are based solely on priorities defined by policymakers in Guyana.
To this end, he highlighted ongoing developmental projects such as by-pass Road between East Coast Demerara and East Bank Demerara, Upgrading of the three primary hospitals, supply of an ocean-going passenger ferry, procurement of pumps and the setting up of an IT Centre at the University of Guyana.
However, he noted that while these projects have seen progress over the past year, trade between the two countries does not enjoy the same.
“The total trade between India and Guyana is hovering around US$35 million during the recent years, which is far below potential and we are striving hard to enhance the bilateral trade engagement and also investment opportunities in Guyana in the fields such as agriculture, education, mining, renewable energy, etc,” the High Commissioner noted.
Nevertheless, Mahalingam said both India and Guyana are committed to promote universal peace, equitable economic development and peaceful solution to the problems being faced by the humanity.
Additionally, in observance of the Republic anniversary on Friday, the Indian Mission here hosted a flag raising ceremony in the morning at the Indian Cultural Centre where High Commissioner Mahalingam read a statement from India’s President Shri Ram Nath Kovind.
Reflecting on the progress of the country, Kovind said the country must strive to build the edifice of a better India, where each and every citizen can realise their full potential so that the country can reach its deserved pedestal in the 21st century.
