Guyana and India share close historical and ancestral bonds – PM Nagamootoo
─ relations have brought tremendous benefits to both nations
─ since May 1966, Guyana and India have seen a steady increase in bilateral exchanges
DPI, Guyana, Friday, January 25, 2019
The Indian High Commission last evening hosted a reception in honour of India’s 70th Republic Day, at the Guyana Marriott, Kingston.
In brief remarks, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said the Government of Guyana anticipates that the friendship between the two countries will continue to grow from strength to strength in the years ahead.
“Guyana and India share close historical and ancestral bonds which continue to deepen our cultural exchanges at the people to people level through the Indian Culture Centre. Our common love for sports, particularly cricket and hockey, has also inspired healthy competition and exchanges between our sportsmen and women.”
This significant observation, Prime Minister Nagamootoo noted, provided an ideal opportunity to reflect upon the longstanding relations that Guyana and India share. “Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in May 1966, Guyana and India have seen a steady increase in bilateral exchanges,” he explained.
He observed that the bonds of friendship between the two nations were further strengthened with the visit to Guyana of the Dr. Satya Pal Singh, Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Water Resources, and Ganga Rejuvenation and Development. The Prime Minister highlighted that during the visit, “the Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman and myself held fruitful discussions with Minister Singh on the future of Guyana/India cooperation in areas such as petroleum and technology.”
In addition, Prime Minister Nagamootoo said his counterpart in India Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “vision for a New India by 2022, is characteristic of his pragmatic leadership.” He explained that Guyana is learning from India, and “I congratulate her for these incredible strides in nation-building.”
In closing, Prime Minister Nagamootoo proposed a toast, on behalf of the Government of Guyana, for the continued prosperity of the Government and People of India, and the strengthening of bilateral relations in the spirit of friendship, mutual respect and cooperation.
Meanwhile, High Commissioner of India to Guyana, H.E. V. Mahalingam said: “Since the establishment of full diplomatic relations between India and Guyana, not only bilateral relations between India and Guyana have been warm and friendly but also, we have consistently held common positions and supported each other in the multilateral arena,” Mahalingam shared.
High Commissioner Mahalingam explained that India and Guyana have much in common, “as we share the same colonial past, freedom struggle through peaceful means and our societies being multi-racial and multi-cultural.”
He said India looks forward to continue working together with Guyana “in promoting universal peace, equitable economic development and peaceful solution to the problems being faced by humanity.” The High Commissioner also highlighted that “India would like to join Guyana in its efforts to promote and encourage environmentally sustainable development and its quest for “Green Economy.”
Many people throughout India celebrate their nation’s Republic Day, which is a gazetted holiday, on January 26 each year. It is a day to remember when India’s constitution came into force in 1950, completing the country’s transition towards becoming an independent republic.
Rebecca Ganesh
Images: Keno George