Relations between Guyana and India to be further strengthened
– Prime Minister receives courtesy call from High Commissioner to India
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Guyana’s High Commissioner to India, Dr. David Goldwin Pollard says relations between Guyana and India will strengthen through a number of projects. The High Commissioner made the statement during a courtesy call to Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo this morning.
Dr. Pollard told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that there are several areas his office will be dealing with as he assumes his position in New Delhi India.
He noted that one of his main mandates is to have Guyana assess all the Lines of Credit that have been extended, previously and to explore the option of having a new line of credit to assist Guyana in the area of Renewable Energy as part of the Green State Development Programme.
“We are looking at working with India on Sustainable Development Goals and renewable energy. We think that India has a lot to offer in terms of the technology and skills to implement particularly Solar Energy part of our Green State Development Strategy and build on the deep cultural ties that exist between the two countries which have been quite helpful in building the friendly relations that we have.”
Highlighting the other areas of cooperation, the High Commissioner noted that the by-pass road that will run from Ogle to Diamond, “… is the biggest single project in this slew of projects. I am pleased to say that a team of Indian Consultants are in the country at the moment working on the detailed design of that road so that we can review costs, I think the costing might be a bit more that than currently estimated. They are envisaging a four-lane road.”
Among the other projects mentioned that will see collaboration between the two countries are, the rehabilitation of the Suddie, West Demerara and the Bartica Regional Hospitals; installation of more drainage pumps along the coast, more specifically mobile ones to assist during the rainy season and the modernisation of the Lady Northcote Ferry with a modern design. Dr. Pollard noted that India possesses a wealth of experience in the building of these vessels.
During the courtesy call, Prime Minister Nagamootoo and Dr. Pollard discussed cricket, culture and other areas where the two countries can strengthen relations.
Both officials are hopeful that India’s Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi may visit Guyana later this year.
Dr. Pollard is also High Commissioner to Indonesia, Sri Lanka and was recently accredited to Bangladesh.
By: Gabreila Patram
Images: Jameel Mohammed