India remains committed to Guyana, India High Commissioner Venkatachalam Mahalingam said as he delivered remarks at a ceremony held at the Marriott Hotel on Tuesday to mark the 67th Republic Day of India.

Guyana and India have shared many commonalities, many of which date back to their colonial past and the struggle for freedom, but the relationship between these two countries has strengthened in recent years with enhanced cooperation a number of fields.
“India is ready to offer its hand to Guyana in developing its health infrastructure, both in primary health care and specialty fields, road infrastructure, irrigation and drainage, marine transport, bio and renewable energy, information Technology and upgradation of sugar industry,” High Commissioner Mahalingam said.
He pointed out that the primary programme for capacity building – Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) – has been useful in the training of Guyanese experts in the fields of agriculture, horticulture, audit, parliamentary studies, communications, power generations and disaster management among other areas.

“I am glad to state that this year 2015-2016, we will be exceeding the target of 20 ITEC slots allotted for Guyana with the excellent cooperation received from the Government of Guyana and most likely the number will go beyond 25,” he disclosed, noting that for the past five years, more than 30 scholarships were provided to Guyanese students who were pursuing higher education. “…this year too we are in the process of selecting students for various scholarships under ICCR and Commonwealth Schemes.”
The India High Commission is striving to foster a business and trade relations between India and Guyana, however, a greater effort is needed. “Present trade between the two countries which accounts for US$35M is far below its potential and efforts are continuing to enhance the trade in the fields of solar energy, forestry, mining and investments in the fields of agriculture, education, mining and the tourism industry,” Commissioner Mahalingam explained.
It is anticipated that the issue of business and trade will be up for discussion when President David Granger visits India in the near future. The President was invited to India subsequent to a meeting in New York with India Prime Minister Modi.
To consolidate cultural links, the Indian Cultural Centre has been functioning in Guyana since 1972 and during the four decades, Mahalingam said a large number of Guyanese have benefitted from its yoga, dance and music classes.
“India’s relations with Latin America and the Caribbean Region have also intensified in terms of political engagements as well as trade and commercial relations. Our trade with Latin America and Caribbean has shown impressive growth in the recent past and to date it stands at about US$46B. This is against the trade of only US$20B in 2000,” he stated.
India has preferential trade agreement with MERCOSUR and Chile with an investment of about US$20b primarily in the areas of IT, automobile parts, mining and hydrocarbons, however, it believes that trade and investment between India and the Latin America and the Caribbean is not commensurate with the potential that exists.
The Republic Day Celebration at Marriott was attended by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan and other Ministers of Government and Officials. Former President Donald Ramotar and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds were also present in addition to the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Clement Rohee and Members of the Diplomatic Corps.
Nagamootoo in remarks hailed 50 years of friendship with the Republic of India and toasted to greater prosperity for the peoples of both countries.
“It is an honour to join with you today to celebrate the 67th Republic Anniversary of India and, on behalf of the Government and the people of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, I extend best wishes for continued prosperity and success to the Government and people of India,” Prime Minister, Nagamootoo who was the guest of honour at the anniversary celebrations said. He noted that a while ago he was surfing the internet and found out that for the first time, a French army contingent took part in the spectacular parade in New Delhi. “So too were canines, camels and ponies that featured alongside the security forces in the defence of India’s sovereignty.” Nagamootoo told the Indian diplomats that their Republic Day has been described as a rousing day of patriotism “and I must note in passing, that 2016 is a landmark year for the Republic of Guyana and for Guyana/India relations. It marks the Golden Jubilee of our independence and also fifty years since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between our two countries on May 26, 1966.”