PM Modi discusses bilateral ties with Guyana and Suriname presidents

PM Modi met Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi on the margins of the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas convention in Indore. Ali is the chief guest at the convention while Santokhi is the guest of honour.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leaders of the South American countries of Guyana and Suriname on Monday discussed ways to bolster relation in areas ranging from defence and security to energy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the first ever-digital Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Exhibition on the theme of ‘AzadiKaAmritMahotsav-Contribution of Diaspora in Indian Freedom Struggle’, in Indore on Monday. Guyana President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi are also present. (ANI/PIB)

The Prime Minister met Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi on the margins of the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) convention in Indore. Ali is the chief guest at the convention while Santokhi is the guest of honour.

Modi and Ali held “comprehensive discussions on a wide range of issues, including cooperation in energy, infrastructure development, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, technology and innovation, and defence cooperation”, the external affairs ministry said.

They also recalled the “180-year-old historical bonds of friendship between the people of India and Guyana and agreed to deepen them further”. Ali will also visit Delhi, Kanpur, Bengaluru and Mumbai in the course of his visit during January 8-14.

Ali will hold talks with President Droupadi Murmu and attend the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards ceremony on January 10. He will also participate in the Global Investors Summit 2023 in Indore on January 11.

Santokhi will also hold talks with Murmu and attend the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards ceremony. He will attend the inaugural session of the Global Investors Summit in Indore and thereafter visit Ahmedabad and New Delhi.

In his address at the inaugural session of the PBD convention, Ali noted the robust cooperation between India and Guyana in agriculture, education, health, housing, ICT, infrastructure, investment, renewable energy, trade and water. He also said India’s motto of “sabka saath, sabka vikaas, sabka vishwas” highlights the importance of unity and prosperity.

Ali sought India’s participation in Guyana’s growth, including in energy security, climate security and food security, and pointed out that his country’s diaspora is as diverse as that of India. “Distance may be keeping us apart but our heart and soul connects us through faith and hope,” he said.