PM Modi meets Guyana, Suriname Presidents on PBD sidelines

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging discussions with Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi on the margins of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention.

At the 17th PBD convention held in Indore to honour persons of Indian origin for their outstanding achievements, Guyana President was the chief guest while Suriname President was the special guest of honour.

Indian President Droupadi Murmu also met with the Presidents at the PBD on January 10.

President Murmu said that it is heartening to see his participation in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention as she happily noted that the Indian community in Suriname has maintained its cultural identity even after 150 years of leaving India, an official statement read. Both leaders also discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations and advance cooperation in trade, energy, technology and culture.

"My visit here is not only for the (PBD) convention but to engage with the government of India and strategize on some important areas where we share mutual interests, where we have comparative advantages, and seeing how we can transform those advantages to benefit Guyana," said Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali.

(ANI)