Jaishankar who is on a three-day visit to Guyana addressed the India-Guyana Business Round Table on the last day of his trip…reports Asian Lite News
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the India-Guyana Business Round Table in Guyana, and said that the partnership of both countries holds new possibilities, while also underlining the new focus areas as earlier agreed upon by the two countries.
Jaishankar who is on a three-day visit to Guyana addressed the India-Guyana Business Round Table on the last day of his trip. Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Jaishankar said he underlined the new focus areas as earlier discussed by Guyanese President Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Narendra Modi including energy, health and pharma, technology and defence.
The External Affairs Minister took part in the India-Guyana Business Round Table in the presence of Guyanese Foreign Minister Hugh Todd, Finance Minister of Guyana Ashni Singh and Public Works Minister of Guyana Deodat Indar.
“Addressed the India-Guyana Business Round Table. Appreciate participation of Foreign Minister Hugh Todd, Finance Minister Ashni Singh & Public Works Minister Deodat Indar,” Jaishankar tweeted.
Jaishankar said that a delegation from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) also took part in the Round Table, which is a reflection of India’s growing engagement with Latin America.
CII is a premier business association, which partners with Indian Industry, government and civil society to create and sustain an environment conducive to the development of India.
In a series of tweets after the Round Table, the EAM said, “Given the impressive growth rate of Guyana and India, our partnership holds many new possibilities. Underlined that the new focus areas agreed to by President Ali and PM @narendramodi -energy, health and pharma, development partnership & capacity building, agriculture, innovation, technology and defence and infrastructure will be the drivers of our ties.”
“My presence here is intended to take forward the momentum created by the visits of President Ali and Vice President Jagdeo recently. Strong economics will complement shared values in taking our partnership to a new level,” Jaishankar tweeted
Air services deal
India and Guyana signed an Air Services Agreement (ASA) on Saturday to facilitate easier travel between the two nations, News Room Guyana reported citing the release from the Ministry of Public Works of the country.
The agreement was signed between Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill, M.P and the High Commissioner of India to Guyana KJ Srinivasa, and in the presence EAM S Jaishankar who is on a 3-day visit to Guyana. The agreement’s signing is consistent with the government’s objective to establish ties between Guyana and the rest of the world.
It will also complement the more than 50 Air Services Agreements Guyana has negotiated with other ICAO governments for the advancement of interstate air travel.
Along with Jaishankar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Guyana, Hugh Todd; Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Elizabeth Harper; Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Lt. Col. (ret’d) Egbert Field, and other Technical Officials from India and Guyana were also present while the agreement was being signed, reported Guyana’s leading broadcast and online news media, News Room Guyana.
The Agreement encourages the development of international air services between the two nations and a global airline market.
It also addresses important matters Grant of Rights; Designation and Authorization of Airlines; Revocation or Suspension of Operating Authorization, Principles governing the operation of Agreed Services, Application of Laws, User Charges, Customs Duties and Charges, Aviation safety and security, and more, reported News Room Guyana.
As the two countries signed the air services agreement, new investment opportunities for Guyanese-owned airlines to have direct market access to international airports in India and vice versa will be now accessible.
Jaishankar arrived on Friday for a three-day visit to Guyana. The EAM was received by Guyana’s Foreign Minister Hugh Todd in the Guyanese capital of Georgetown.
Next, Jaishankar is scheduled to visit Panama next from April 24-25. He will be calling on top leadership and would be hosted by Foreign Minister Janaina Tewaney Mencomo. After that Jaishankar will head to Colombia from April 25-27 where he is scheduled to meet with several top representatives of the government, business and civil society. During the visit, he will meet with Colombian Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva Duran and review bilateral ties.
Energy, defence cooperation discussed
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on Guyana’s Prime Minister Mark Phillips and discussed energy, disaster resilience, and defence cooperation.
Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Jaishankar said, “Glad to call on Prime Minister Mark Phillips of Guyana. Discussed energy, disaster resilience and preparedness and defence cooperation. India will partner with Guyana in its developmental journey.” Earlier, Jaishankar co-chaired the 5th India-Guyana Joint Commission Meeting with his Guyana counterpart Hugh Todd and held “comprehensive discussions” related to agriculture, energy, health and pharmaceuticals and defence cooperation.
“Co-chaired the 5th India-Guyana Joint Commission Meeting with Foreign Minister Hugh Todd this afternoon. Comprehensive discussions in agriculture; energy; health & pharmaceuticals; ayurveda and wellness; defence cooperation; human resources; tech & innovation and infra development,” EAM Jaishankar tweeted.
“Witnessed exchange of agreements in Migration and Mobility and Air Connectivity. Encouraged our officials to continue the close contacts and facilitate stronger business-to-business ties,” Jaishankar wrote further on Twitter.
On Saturday, Jaishankar called on Guyana President Irfaan Ali.
“Delighted to call on Guyanese President Irfaan Ali and VP Bharrat Jagdeo at the State House. Conveyed the personal greetings and warm regards of PM @narendramodi. Their recent visits to India have provided new momentum for our ties,” the EAM tweeted.
He also said it is very natural to discuss cricket on a visit to Guyana, as he called the nation, the land of Rohan Kanhai and Lance Gibbs.
Moreover, Jaishankar during his Guyana visit also celebrated Earth Day and planted a tree.
“Celebrated Earth Day in Georgetown by planting a Simarupa tree in this beautiful country. May this sapling grow and prosper reflecting the strength and vitality of the India-Guyana relationship,” the minister wrote on Twitter.
Jaishankar also met his counterpart from Saint Lucia, Alva Baptiste in Guyana and said he appreciated his insights at the India-CARICOM ministerial held in Guyana on Friday.
The External Affairs Minister Jaishankar is on a four-nation Central and Latin America visit which began on April 21.
Following his visit to Guyana, Jaishankar will visit Panama tomorrow for two day-visit from April 24-25. He will be calling on top leadership and would be hosted by Foreign Minister Janaina Tewaney Mencomo. During this visit, the India-SICA Foreign Ministerial Meeting will also be convened wherein he would meet representatives of the eight-country Central American Integration System (SICA).
After his Panama visit, the EAM will leave for Colombia and the Dominican Republic. (ANI)
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