EAM Jaishankar co-chairs 5th India-Guyana Joint Commission Meeting

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar co-chaired the 5th India-Guyana Joint Commission Meeting on Saturday with his Guyana counterpart Hugh Todd and held “comprehensive discussions” on agriculture, energy, health and pharmaceuticals, and defense cooperation, among other topics.

“Co-chaired the 5th India-Guyana Joint Commission Meeting with Foreign Minister Hugh Todd this afternoon. Comprehensive discussions in agriculture; energy; health & pharmaceuticals; ayurveda & wellness; defense cooperation; human resources; tech & innovation and infra development,” EAM Jaishankar tweeted.

“Witnessed exchange of agreements in Migration and Mobility and Air Connectivity. Encouraged our officials to continue the close contacts and facilitate stronger business-to-business ties,” Jaishankar wrote further on Twitter.

Earlier, Jaishankar called on Guyana President Irfaan Ali on Saturday.
“Delighted to call on Guyanese President Irfaan Ali and VP Bharrat Jagdeo at the State House. Conveyed the personal greetings and warm regards of PM @narendramodi. Their recent visits to India have provided new momentum for our ties,” the EAM tweeted on Saturday.

He also stated that discussing cricket during a visit to Guyana, the land of Rohan Kanhai and Lance Gibbs, is very natural. Moreover, during his visit to Guyana, Jaishankar observed Earth Day and planted a tree.

“Celebrated Earth Day in Georgetown by planting a Simarupa tree in this beautiful country. May this sapling grow and prosper reflecting the strength and vitality of the India-Guyana relationship,” the minister wrote on Twitter.

Jaishankar also met with his counterpart from Saint Lucia, Alva Baptiste, in Guyana and expressed gratitude for his insights at the India-CARICOM ministerial meeting on Friday. On Saturday, the EAM took to Twitter to announce his meeting with his Saint Lucian counterpart at breakfast this morning.
Earlier, he met with his counterpart from Suriname, Albert Ramdin, in Guyana, and emphasised the importance of further strengthening the “age-old ties” between the two countries.

On Friday, Jaishankar arrived in Guyana for a three-day visit. When the EAM arrived in the Guyanese capital of Georgetown, he was greeted by Guyana’s Foreign Minister, Hugh Todd.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar is currently on a four-nation visit to Central and Latin America, which began on April 21.

Jaishankar will travel to Panama from April 24 to 25 after his visit to Guyana. He will be hosted by Foreign Minister Janaina Tewaney Mencomo and will address top leadership. During his visit, he will also attend the India-SICA Foreign Ministerial Meeting, where he will meet with representatives from the eight-country Central American Integration System (SICA).

Following his visit to Panama, the EAM will travel to Colombia and the Dominican Republic.