Hon. Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, the Vice President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, visited India on February 24, 2023, and called on the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan. During the meeting, both leaders discussed various aspects of bilateral relations and ways to further strengthen the partnership between India and Guyana.
The President welcomed Dr. Jagdeo to Rashtrapati Bhavan and emphasized that India attaches high importance to its relationship with Guyana. She highlighted that Guyana has been home to Indian brothers and sisters for the last 180 years, and even though India and Guyana are geographically distant, they share many commonalities, such as a colonial past, predominantly agricultural and rural-based economies, and multicultural societies.
The President also noted that bilateral trade between India and Guyana is on an upward trajectory, despite the pandemic. In 2021-22, the trade witnessed a growth of over 300 percent, and she stressed the need to further diversify the bilateral trade. The President also mentioned that the development partnership is a key pillar of the India-Guyana relationship. She was pleased to note that more than 640 Guyanese Government officials have been trained under India’s ITEC program so far. She expressed confidence that Dr. Jagdeo’s visit would further deepen the historical bonds of friendship between India and Guyana.
Dr. Jagdeo expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation. He acknowledged India’s contribution to Guyana’s development and expressed his desire to further strengthen the bilateral relationship in various fields, including trade, investment, education, and technology. He also highlighted Guyana’s abundant natural resources, including gold, bauxite, timber, and fisheries, and invited Indian businesses to explore investment opportunities in Guyana.
The Vice President also briefed the President on the latest political and economic developments in Guyana, including the country’s ongoing efforts to diversify its economy and attract foreign investment. He also expressed his appreciation for India’s support in various international forums, including the United Nations.
The meeting between Hon. Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and Smt Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan was a reaffirmation of the strong bilateral relationship between India and Guyana, and an opportunity to explore new avenues of cooperation. Both leaders expressed their commitment to deepening the historical bonds of friendship between the two countries and taking the partnership to new heights.
