PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday met with an advance delegation from India as Guyana and India move to strengthen bilateral relations ahead of a proposed visit by India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
The delegation was led by Secretary of Economic Relations in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Shri Sudhakar Dalela, and included senior officials from the country’s foreign affairs and defence ministries. Former High Commissioner to Guyana Dr Amit Shivkumar Telang and others were also part of the meeting.
During the engagement at the Office of the President, President Ali, accompanied by members of his Cabinet, underscored the importance of deepening co-operation between the two countries and advancing strategic partnerships across key sectors.
He highlighted opportunities for expanded collaboration in energy, agriculture, government efficiency, trade and finance, while discussions also focused on information and communications technology, technology transfer and human resource development.
Earlier in the day, Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo also met with the visiting delegation. Discussions during that meeting centred on strengthening bilateral ties.
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips likewise received the delegation at the Office of the Prime Minister on Camp Street, where engagements formed part of a series of high-level meetings aimed at enhancing diplomatic and economic relations between Guyana and India.
Dalela was accompanied by Joint Secretary of the Development Partnership Administration-I Division, Suja K. Menon; Joint Secretary of the South America Division, Dr Aman Puri; Joint Secretary (International Co-operation) in the Department of Defence, Dr Amit Shivkumar Telang; Under Secretary in the South America Division, Sarath Sankar; Counsellor (Political) and Head of Chancery at the High Commission of India in Georgetown, Manoj Kumar; and Second Secretary (Consular and CARICOM), Sanjay Kanojia.
Back in 2024, the two nations had signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) during a state visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The agreements, spanning hydrocarbons, health, agriculture, energy, and technology transfer, had represented a step toward deepening co-operation in vital sectors.
