| Home | President's Speeches | O.P Statements |
| Policy Position | Current Photos | Comments and Responses | Media Advisory |
RESPONSE BY
HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT BHARRAT JAGDEO
TO THE ACCREDITATION SPEECH BY
HIS EXCELLENCY AVINASH GUPTA
HIGH COMMISSIONER OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA TO GUYANA
Excellency,
it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Guyana and to accept the Letters
of Credence which accredit you as High Commissioner of the Republic of India
to the Republic of Guyana.
I wish to thank you for the kind sentiments which you have stated and in turn,
request that you convey my best wishes to His Excellency President Abdul Kalam,
for his personal welfare and for India’s continued prosperity.
Excellency, you represent a country which has historically been closely linked
to Guyana. From India came many of our forbears under the yoke of colonialism
and the harsh conditions of indentureship, to work in the sugar plantations
and to eke out a new life for themselves and children. Through hard work and
sacrifice they overcame their hardships and bequeathed to their country of
adoption a rich legacy of customs and traditions which up to this day form
a strong bond of friendship with India.
Towards the end of this month, I shall be travelling to India for high level
discussions aimed at further strengthening our bilateral relations and at
opening new areas for cooperation. I look forward to my meeting with the President,
Prime Minister and other officials of the Indian government and civil society
and to visiting important centres of industry, commerce and technology which
may be able to contribute to the development of our own economy. Already,
we have a number of projects on which our two countries have successfully
cooperated.
Under the ITEC programme, several Experts are currently in Guyana to contribute
their skills while at the same time many Guyanese are trained in India to
contribute to key areas of our economy. This exchange has been highly rewarding
in terms of the benefits and experience gained. I hope during my visit, to
encourage Indian businessmen to invest in economic activities in our country
and to draw further from the abundant technical expertise which resides in
India.
In the cultural field the ground is fertile for even greater interaction.
The Indian heritage has so successfully intermingled with others in our society
resulting in a fusion of art, customs and traditions that is uniquely Guyanese.
Excellency, the role played by India in international affairs is not only
active but highly influential. In the various councils of the world, India’s
voice can always be heard in defence of developing countries and in advocacy
of international peace and security. Guyana and India have historically worked
together in all institutions of which we are both members to advance the political,
economic and social objectives which we jointly espouse. It may be recalled
that almost three decades ago, our two countries were among the first at the
United Nations to call for a more representative international system of relations,
including a reform of the Security Council.
Excellency, as you will undoubtedly note, my Government is currently engaged
in the task of strengthening our economy as well as our society to withstand
the threats presented by globalisation. Our relatively small size and shortage
of resources - both human and financial - represent serious constraints on
our efforts. Nonetheless with sound planning and determination we will succeed.
We are now, despite many persistent difficulties, at a promising stage of
our history. Through greater unity of our people and more concerted action
on the part of the stakeholders in our society, we hope like India, to make
considerable progress towards reducing poverty and promoting equitable development.
Excellency, I am confident that your appointment as High Commissioner of the
Republic of India to Guyana will help to build on the achievements which our
two countries have so far recorded their relations.
In welcoming you to Guyana, I extend my best wishes to you and assure you
of the full support of my Government in your diplomatic endeavours.
Thank you.
August 13, 2003
