SPEECH OF H.E. BHARRAT JAGDEO AT STATE DINNER IN HONOUR OF H.E. BHAIRON SINGH SHEKHAWAT, VICE-PRESIDENT OF INDIA
NOVEMBER 7, 2006
Vice-President of India, Mr. Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and delegation, colleagues of the Cabinet, Ladies and Gentlemen…..On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Guyana, I am delighted to welcome Your Excellency, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Vice President of the Republic of India and the distinguished members of your delegation to Guyana.
My Government and I are most pleased that you accepted our invitation to visit Guyana in representation of the Government of India for the Dedication Ceremony of the Stadium at Providence. We are highly appreciative of the assistance received from your Government for the construction of the stadium, a project which was agreed upon during my State visit to India in August 2003.
Coming as you do from a cricket-loving nation, you will identify I am sure, with pride and satisfaction, the Government and people of Guyana feel in having the opportunity to host a segment of matches for Cricket World Cup 2007. Guyana is committed to having a highly successful tournament.
Mr. Vice President, over the last forty (40) years, Guyana as a young nation has benefited greatly from its association with India, the world’s largest democracy. The technical assistance received in the fields of education, science and technology and culture, as well as economic cooperation have all had a positive impact on my country’s economic and social development.
The high level of cooperation between our countries was further reflected this afternoon in the signing of several Agreements such as the one for a Cultural Exchange Programme for the period 2007-2009 and another for the establishment of the Rabindranath Tagore Resource Centre at the University of Guyana. I am confident that these Agreements in two important areas-culture and information technology-will serve to further enhance our special relationship. This is a splendid example of South-South Cooperation, in which an advanced country like India can help a small developing country like Guyana engage further on the path to equitable development.
Mr. Vice President,
There is much that Guyana can learn from the experience of India in nation-building. Like you, we are determined to eradicate poverty from our land and to create a society that is based on democratic governance, equity and social justice. Having been recently re-elected to another term of office, my Government will spare no effort to achieve these objectives.
In our discussions, this afternoon, I related to you how small, vulnerable States are seriously threatened by the rapid pace of globalization and trade liberalization; without the appropriate support or transitional assistance needed to adjust their economies to integrate into a liberalized world economy.
That is why we in Guyana are pursuing, with a sense of urgency the restructuring of our economy through diversification and increased value-added activities as well as enhancing the competitiveness of the traditional sectors.
In this regard, we are taking several measures to seek new markets for our exports and attract investment to Guyana. Just last week, Guyana’s premier exhibition-GUYEXPO- was held, showcasing what Guyana has to offer in these areas. I was pleased to learn that a few Indian companies also participated in the exposition. My Government looks forward to the early conclusion of the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement between Guyana and India, which would be of benefit to those Indian entrepreneurs who are interested in investing in Guyana.
In international affairs, Mr. Vice-President, Guyana and India share similar positions on issues of major importance such as the promotion of democracy, human rights, development, security and reform of the United Nations. In reference to the last mentioned issue, I wish to take this opportunity to assure you of my Government’s firm commitment to support India’s bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. We believe that your country is amply qualified for such representation, and should truly earn its rightful place.
Excellency,
Tomorrow, we will together dedicate the newly-constructed stadium to the promotion of sports in Guyana. As is now fully recognized, sports can be an important catalyst for building national unity and development. The stadium may therefore be considered a significant investment in our future, by offering to our people-particularly our youth-opportunities to practice their athletic skills and to aspire and reach their full human potential.
I cherish the memories of my previous visits to India; these memories are still fresh in my mind. The many locations I saw were symbolic and illustrative of both India’s celebrated past and its promising future. Everywhere I went the people of India greeted me with the most gracious hospitality and cordiality. And then with much personal satisfaction, I discovered my ancestral roots in a small village in Uttar Pradesh.
I treasure, too, the cordial discussions which I had with the Government of India, not only on Guyana/India relations but also on global issues of interest to both our countries. And I am especially pleased that India has begun to solidify relations with our Caribbean Community.
Excellency, I would now like on this occasion to propose a toast to you and the distinguished members of your delegation, for the continued progress and prosperity of the Government and people of India and for the further enhancement of the bilateral relations between Guyana and India.
