Both countries thoroughly assessed their bilateral ties and cooperation in multilateral organizations

Emphasizing the need to strengthen bilateral relations, Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali has talked about the need for closer cooperation with India in sectors like oil & gas, infrastructure, and defence.

The matter was discussed when Secretary (East) Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Saurabh Kumar called on President Ali in Georgetown on Monday ( November 28).

The President was accompanied by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation Hugh Todd and Minister in the Ministry of Public Works Indar Deodat.

President Ali emphasized the need to strengthen bilateral relations and highlighted that Guyana is poised for rapid growth and development, the MEA said on Tuesday.

"The two sides discussed cooperation in a wide range of areas including oil and gas, infrastructure projects, defence cooperation, capacity building and Guyana’s requirement of skilled manpower," the MEA added.

During the meeting, Secretary (East) informed President Ali about the arrangements related to the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in which the latter would participate as the Chief Guest at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

During the visit, Secretary (East) Saurabh Kumar participated in the 4th India-Guyana Foreign Office consultations. the Guyanese side was led by Director, Multilateral Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana George Talbot.

According to the MEA, the institutional interaction provided an opportunity to comprehensively review bilateral relations, including in areas such as political, trade and economic, oil and gas, food security, agriculture, health and pharmaceuticals, ICT, education and S&T, development partnership, climate change and culture.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, and cooperation in multilateral bodies including CARICOM.

Additionally, the Secretary (East) met CARICOM's Deputy Secretary General Armstrong Alexis at the organization's headquarters in Georgetown. The two sides welcomed the recent momentum in India-CARICOM relations and agreed to work towards further strengthening it, the MEA said.

They agreed to hold the next round of consultations at a mutually convenient date in New Delhi.