Pravasi Bhartiya Divas: President Murmu meets counterparts from Suriname, Guyana

President Droupadi Murmu visited President of the Republic of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, on the sidelines of the 17th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas on Tuesday in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

President Murmu stated that his participation in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is gratifying, noting that the Indian minority in Suriname has retained its cultural identity even after 150 years of separation from India, according to an official release. Both presidents also discussed how to deepen bilateral ties and expand cooperation in areas like as commerce, energy, technology, and culture.

“President Droupadi Murmu met President @CSantokhi of Suriname in Indore on the sidelines of 17th PBD Convention. Both leaders discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations and advance cooperation in trade, energy, technology and culture,” the Official Twitter account of Rashtrapati Bhavan, run by the President’s Secretariat tweeted.

According to the President, India-Suriname collaboration is developing nicely. Regular high-level visits are giving our relations a boost. She reaffirmed India’s commitment to provide technical assistance and supporting capacity building and skill development in Suriname. According to the official release, the President stated that we must work together to increase our commerce for mutual gain.

Suriname will commemorate the 150th anniversary of Indian immigration in June 2023, and the government has wished the events great success. Furthermore, despite the great geographical distance, she expressed delight in knowing that Hindi is extensively spoken in Suriname.

President Droupadi Murmu also held wide-ranging talks with her counterpart from Guyana, Mohamed Irfaan Ali in Indore. The two sides discussed various sectors including oil and gas, healthcare, training, and capacity building during their discussion.

“President Droupadi Murmu held wide-ranging discussions with President @DrMohamedIrfaa1 of Guyana in Indore on the sidelines of the 17th PBD Convention. They discussed about enhancing cooperation in various sectors including oil and gas, healthcare, training, and capacity building,” the President’s Secretariat tweeted.

On Tuesday, President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Indore for the valedictory session of the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention and was greeted by Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is the Government of India’s flagship event, providing an essential forum for engaging and connecting with abroad Indians, as well as allowing the diaspora to communicate with one another.