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India Explores Oil Deals with Guyana, Suriname, Namibia

India, the world’s third-biggest oil importer and consumer, is looking to diversify its crude sources….reports Asian Lite News

India has been talking to Guyana, Suriname and Namibia regarding oil cooperation, informed Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday while asserting that there is no shortage of crude oil globally.

His statement comes as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) are extending their voluntary oil output cuts of 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd) into the second quarter.

Responding to the development, Puri said: “Whatever decision Opec+ takes it is their sovereign decision… I speak with confidence as a representative of a country that we will navigate through this. If you sell, we will buy. If you don’t we will buy from someone other.”

“There is no shortage of crude oil in the world. My view is that there is enough oil present with Opec+… we have been talking to Guayana, Suriname, Namibia. Venezuela has some difficulties $600 million were stuck… that is coming in. I am confident. We will navigate through this. In coming time I don’t see any difficulty in this,” he added.

India, the world’s third-biggest oil importer and consumer, is looking to diversify its crude sources.

India is considering a multi-year oil purchase agreement with Guyana.

crude oil, UAE-based Indian national sanctioned by US for smuggling Iranian oil.

Last year, the Ministry of External Affairs also said India is keenly looking at oil and gas cooperation with Guyana and Suriname.

Discussions in this regard were held during meetings of President of Cooperative Republic of Guyana Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Republic of Suriname president Chandrikapersad Santokhi with President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention last year in January.

Meanwhile, India and Namibia are exploring possibilities regarding oil and gas cooperation.

During his visit to Namibia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar last year said there is a much clearer picture of the possibilities before the two countries. “Closer cooperation in the field of energy, including in oil and gas, green hydrogen, and solar,” he has said.

India, the world’s third-biggest oil importer and consumer, is dependent on crude oil from various sources in the global market to meet its domestic demand. (ANI)

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India’s $246,852 aid strengthens flood resilience in Suriname

India's Permanent Representative Ruchira Kamboj speaks at the United Nations Security Council on Monday, April 24, 2023. (Photo Source: UN)

This commitment reflects India’s unwavering dedication to strengthening its political, economic, and cultural ties with CARICOM nations, as per the release…reports Asian Lite News

India has extended support amounting to USD 246,852.71 for project aimed at bolstering early flood warning services to communities in Suriname.

The support extended by the India-UN Development Partnership Fund is in direct response to a request from the Government of Suriname, as part of their efforts to enhance resilience against flooding resulting from excessive rainfall, as per a release issued by India’s Permanent Mission to UN

Indian Ambassador to UN Ruchira Kamboj on Thursday tweeted: “Strengthening flood resilience in #Suriname underscores India’s #CARICOM commitment. With a pledge of USD 246,852.71 from the #IndiaUNFund early warning services against flooding get a vital boost.”

Suriname is in need of an advanced next-generation weather forecasting workstation. The proposed project entails the procurement and installation of an Automatic Weather Station and Automatic Water Level Stations, as per the release issued by the Permanent Mission to UN.

These additions will serve to elevate the capabilities of the National HydroMet Network, thus enhancing the monitoring of rainfall and flood situations, and thereby fortifying the foundation of an effective early warning system. Additionally, a cutting-edge ArcGIS cloud-based geospatial platform will be developed to analyze areas prone to susceptibility to flooding.

 Kamboj stated: “India has consistently supported Suriname through a variety of community development projects, extending concessional lines of credit, and providing humanitarian assistance whenever required. This project, aimed at establishing an early climate warning system, will undoubtedly save lives, empower businesses to adapt their operations, and safeguard valuable property.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting in September 2019, engaged with leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in New York. The Prime Minister underscored the intention to foster partnerships with CARICOM countries in a manner that effectively addresses the unique needs and priorities of the CARICOM region.

This commitment reflects India’s unwavering dedication to strengthening its political, economic, and cultural ties with CARICOM nations, as per the release.

The India-UN Development Partnership Fund, initiated by the Government of India in June 2017, stands as a beacon of support for projects in developing nations that contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.

Guided by the principles of South-South cooperation, the Fund places paramount importance on national ownership and leadership, equality, sustainability, capacity development at the local level, and mutual benefit. The Government of India has pledged a total of USD 150 million over the next decade for the Fund. To date, the Fund has successfully supported 75 development projects spanning 56 countries, according to the official release. (ANI)

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OCI norms eased for Indian diaspora in Suriname

Murmu urged members of the Indian diaspora to stay connected to India and to keep making contributions to the development of both countries….reports Asian Lite News

President Draupadi Murmu has announced the expansion of eligibility criteria for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards during her visit to Suriname.

She made this announcement while attending the cultural event held in Paramaribo on Monday (June 5, 2023) night commemorating the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indians to Suriname. Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi was present.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Murmu announced the Government of India’s decision of extending the eligibility criteria for OCI Card up from the fourth generation to the sixth generation of those original Indian immigrants who had arrived in Suriname from Indian territories. President Murmu described the OCI card as an important link to the 150-year-old relationship between India and Suriname. She urged members of the Indian diaspora to stay connected to India and to keep making contributions to the development of both countries.

Speaking to a sizable crowd at Independence Square, President Murmu emphasized the historical significance of this turning point for Suriname. She recounted that a new era in Suriname’s history began on June 5, 1873, when the first group of Indians reached the shores of Suriname on the ship Lalla Rookh.

Expressing her appreciation for Suriname’s multicultural society and its inclusive nature, President Murmu commended the people of Suriname for fostering unity and inclusiveness among diverse communities. She recognized the strong bonds that exist among members of the Indian diaspora who have held to their roots despite great geographic separation and cultural diversity.

President Murmu noted that the Indian minority in Suriname has assimilated into Surinamese society and is essential to the development of the bilateral relationship.

President Murmu emphasized the shared aspirations for development that underpin bilateral relations between Suriname and India. She emphasized the initiatives taken by both countries to recover their social and economic systems following protracted periods of colonial domination, which helped to forge a bond between them.

Earlier in the day, the President paid homage at the Baba and Mai monument, symbolizing the first Indian man and woman to set foot in Suriname. In addition, she paid her respects at the Mama Sranan monument, which depicts Mother Suriname cradling her five children as a representation of the five ethnic groups that make up the nation.

At a ceremony at the Presidential Palace, President Santokhi presented President Murmu with the highest civilian award in Suriname, the “Grand Order of the Chain of the Yellow Star,” in appreciation of her visit and the long-standing ties between the two countries.

In her acceptance speech, President Murmu expressed her thanks for the high honour and emphasized its importance for the 1.4 billion Indians as well as for herself. She dedicated the award to the many Indian-Surinamese generations whose efforts have strengthened the bonds of friendship between India and Suriname.

The President also attended a lunchtime banquet that the President of Suriname hosted in her honour.

In her remarks at the luncheon, President Murmu emphasized India’s stand in favour of a global system that is open to all nations and sympathetic to their legitimate interests and concerns. She said that India’s assistance to more than 100 nations during the Covid-19 pandemic was given in the spirit of unity. With India being the G-20’s current president, it is strengthening its ties with both emerging and established nations, she added.

She recalled that India also organized the Voice of the South Conference in January of this year, with the participation of 125 countries from the Global South, in order to give developing nations and the Global South a stronger voice on topics of relevance to them. She was grateful to Suriname for participating in this event. (India News Network)

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Prez Murmu conferred with Suriname’s highest distinction

President Droupadi Murmu dedicated the award to the “successive generations” of the Indian-Surinamese community…reports Asian Lite News

Suriname on Monday conferred its highest civilian honour to President Droupadi Murmu- The Grand Order of the Chain of Yellow Star, the first Indian to receive this award.

Murmu received the award from the President of the Republic of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi. Murmu after receiving the award, said that the honour holds tremendous significance not only for her but the people of India.

“I am greatly honoured to receive Suriname’s highest distinction, “Grand Order of the Chain of the Yellow Star.” This recognition holds tremendous significance, not only for me but also for the 1.4 billion people of India whom I represent,” the President of India said in a tweet.

She dedicated the award to the “successive generations” of the Indian-Surinamese community.

“I also dedicate this honor to the successive generations of the Indian-Surinamese community, who have played a stellar role in enriching the fraternal ties between our two countries,” she further said.

On the first leg of her state visit to Serbia and Suriname, President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Paramaribo, Suriname on June 4.

She was welcomed at the Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport with full state honours by Suriname’s President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, the official release of Rashtrapati Bhavan read.

Earlier today, President Murmu commenced her engagements with the visit to the Presidential Palace in Paramaribo to meet her counterpart, President Santokhi.

She received a warm welcome from her counterpart Santokhi at the Presidential palace in Paramaribo.

The President appreciated President Santokhi’s warmth and hospitality throughout the meetings. She was delighted to learn that Hindi is widely spoken in Suriname, which makes her remind of India.

India and Suriname on Monday signed four major Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in the fields of health, agriculture and capacity building.

The pacts were inked after Murmu and Santokhi held delegation-level talks. President Murmu led delegation-level talks between the two sides.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that she was happy to be in Suriname on her first State Visit as President of India when it is commemorating the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in Suriname, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in an official release. (ANI)

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India, Suriname ink major MoUs

The pacts were inked after President Murmu and her Surinamese counterpart Chandrikapersad Santokhi held delegation-level talks…reports Asian Lite News

India and Suriname on Monday signed four major Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in the fields of health, agriculture and capacity building. The pacts were inked after President Murmu and her Surinamese counterpart Chandrikapersad Santokhi held delegation-level talks.

President Murmu led delegation-level talks between the two sides. Speaking on the occasion, the President said that she was happy to be in Suriname on her first State Visit as President of India when it is commemorating the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in Suriname, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in an official release.

The President remarked that Suriname, like India, is a diverse nation where people of many castes, languages, and religions co-exist together. According to her, the diverse and contemporary friendship between India and Suriname is built on strong historical and cultural links.

The President emphasised that the two countries’ bilateral commerce is well below its potential. She stated that cooperation is required in order to increase bilateral trade for both parties’ advantage. She stated her belief that the contracts made during the tour would strengthen the country’s commercial and economic ties. She claimed that there is room for more cooperation in industries including defence, agriculture, Ayurveda, and pharmaceuticals.

After the delegation-level talks, the President handed over medicines from India to her counterpart.

Three MoUs were mostly signed between the two nations.

1) Joint Work Plan for Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture and Allied Sectors for the period of 2023-2027

2) MoU between the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission and the Health Ministry of Suriname for recognition of the Indian Pharmacopoeial standards

3) MoU between CDSCO and the Ministry of Health of Suriname on cooperation in the field of Medical products regulations

The President said that India is committed to enhance technical cooperation and contribute to the capacity building and skill development of Suriname’s human resources as per the requirements.

“India is ready to partner in the socio-economic development of Suriname by promoting Quick Impact Projects and SMEs. She was happy to note that the project submitted by Suriname under India-UNDP Fund for Flood Early Warning System has been approved,” according to the official release.

On the first leg of her state visit to Serbia and Suriname, President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Paramaribo, Suriname yesterday (June 4). She was welcomed at the Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport with full state honours by Suriname’s President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, the official release of Rashtrapati Bhavan read.

Earlier today, President Murmu commenced her engagements with the visit to the Presidential Palace in Paramaribo to meet her counterpart, President Santokhi.

She received a warm welcome from counterpart Santokhi at Presidential palace in Paramaribo

The President appreciated President Santokhi’s warmth and hospitality throughout the meetings. She was delighted to learn that Hindi is widely spoken in Suriname, which makes her remind of India. (ANI)

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