…on occasion of India’s 64th Independence Anniversary
Prime Minister Sam Hinds said that, over the years, Guyana’s co-operation with India has been expanding both in scope and substance; and the Government of Guyana is highly appreciative of the support received from the Government of India under the Indian line of credit for different projects.
Hinds spoke on Monday evening when he joined Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Subit Kumar Mandal, in the observance of India’s 64th Independence anniversary at the Pegasus Hotel.
“The bilateral agreements which have been concluded between our two countries are designed to deepen relations and bring our peoples closer together. The recently concluded 3rd round of Guyana/India Foreign Office consultations, which took place last July in Georgetown, did indeed provide a way for a more practical programme of co-operation between Guyana and India, and by extension, taking our relationship to a higher level. It is our intention to work with you to ensure that we can capitalise on the various initiatives agreed upon in order to advance on our bilateral agenda,” Hinds said.
The Prime Minister assured that the government is firmly committed to achieving socio-economic growth and food security to improve the standard of living of all Guyanese.
Speaking at the ceremony, High Commissioner Mandal said it is a very special day for India, as 64 years back “on this day, we started as an independent nation at the stroke of midnight with pride and hope.”
He said that the dream which they started with on that day has not been fully realized. “The task has been difficult and the path steep. But we are steadfast in our faith that we will reach our goal sooner than later,” said Mandal.
He said, “Guyana and India are two vibrant democracies that share common values and common goals.”
The High Commissioner remarked that there is a new economic growth story emerging in Guyana and it possesses all the prerequisites to make Guyana a major growth hub in the region.
Mandal said that India, like Guyana, is a democracy that faces the challenges of development. “It is a democracy that, like yours, faces diversity and plurality,” he said.
He said that for the last few years, the international political and economic situation has not been very favourable. He said even through the global economy is recovering, upheaval is still taking place.
“However, we have managed things [over] the last five years. We have had average growth of 8.2 percent in the face of high energy prices and high food prices. We hope to achieve growth of 9 percent and up over the next five years [with plans to expand the social and infrastructure sectors],” he said.
The High Commissioner further stated that there is good news in Guyana’s struggle to ensure food security through intensification and diversification of its agricultural base, as well as in improving education, health and infrastructure, reducing infant mortality, and rebuilding institutions for accelerated growth.
Also present at the ceremony was Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, members of the Diplomatic Corps, and other invitees.
On August 15, 1947, India gained its independence from Great Britain.