India’s State Minister on outreach programme in Guyana

…to “deepen” relations

In efforts to build stronger relationships with leaders and the Diaspora, India’s Minister of State for Human Resources Development, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Dr Satya Pal Singh, is currently on a four-day special outreach to Guyana.

This is an initiative of the Indian Government, which aims to have a Government Minister visit all the countries that are covered by the more than 185 Indian Missions/Consulates around the world before the end of this year to discuss issues of interest regarding bilateral and multilateral development. The Minister is accompanied by his wife.
During the visit, which spans May 8 to 11, Minister Singh will be meeting with key Government and Opposition officials as well as members of the Indian Diaspora here in Guyana. A welcome reception was held on Tuesday evening at the Pegasus Hotel, where a meet-and-greet platform was created for the Minister to interact with the Diaspora, including Indian expatriates.
Addressing the gathering at the reception, Minister Singh said that India was impressed with the success of its Diaspora across the world.
The Indian State Minister went on to reflect on the lives of the indentured labourers – most of whom he noted came from his home state of Uttar Pradesh – saying that despite the difficulties and hardships faced, they managed to work and make their adopted land a better place for future generations.
“The Indian Diaspora in Guyana now is the third or fourth generation of Indians who should be certainly proud of the modern Guyana, which their fore-parents have created along with their African descendants and others. The Government of India is certainly proud of you for your achievements in all fields, including business, politics, art, culture, sport, etc,” he stated.
According to Minister Singh, this year will be a special year in the history of diplomatic relations between India and Guyana, which already enjoy excellent relations in both the bilateral and multilateral arenas. He specifically mentioned President David Granger’s visit to India back in March and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s impending visit to Guyana later this year.
“I’m sure that this outreach visit, which is a ministerial visit from India to Guyana after 23 years will be significant as it will help in broadening and deepening the bilateral relations in various fields, as well as enhance cooperation between India and Guyana, particularly in Guyana’s pursuit to become a complete “Green Economy” by 2025,” the Indian Minister posited.
Meanwhile, these sentiments were also expressed by Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam, who spoke of the enrichment of cooperation between the two countries in the bilateral and multilateral fields.
Minister Singh kicked off his four-day visit on Tuesday with a cordial visit to Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman. On Wednesday, he also met President Granger as well as Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson.
The Minister is also scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo; Vice President and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, and Minister of State Joseph Harmon, before wrapping up his four-day visit on Friday.