A TOP official of the Indian External Affairs Ministry, heading a delegation on a three-day visit here, has lauded the way in which relations between India and Guyana have developed and blossomed since the establishment of diplomatic ties some 40 years ago.

Mrs. Shashi Tripathi, Secretary in the Indian External Affairs Ministry, hailed the deepening of the closer ties against the background of their common colonial history.

She was speaking yesterday, at the opening session of the Guyana/India Joint Commission in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Takuba Lodge, Georgetown.

The diplomat noted that their economic and commercial relationships have been on the rise since the two visits by President Bharrat Jagdeo to India in 2003 and 2004, which resulted in agreements being concluded for the construction of the Cricket World Cup (CWC) stadium, at Providence, East Bank Demerara, through a US$19M concessional line of credit and a grant of US$6M.

At the forum, both sides were expected to identify specific areas where more lines of credit could be considered for other developmental projects.

According to the Indian High Commission here, bilateral trade between the two countries increased from US$5.7M to US$35.5M in the periods 2002-2003 and 2005-2006.

Tripathi, acknowledging several common features which characterise the two countries, including also use of the English language, holding dear the values of freedom and human rights and being both developing states, said the world is at a stage where neither India or Guyana can afford to be left behind.

“We both missed the industrial revolution because of colonialism, but we must not miss the knowledge revolution,” she urged.

In that context, Tripathi said there should be new content in their bonding and greater South/South cooperation.

She added that new ways of doing things should be sought, particularly in light of India’s rapid economic growth rate, currently running at 8 per cent per annum.

Alluding to the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, under which many Guyanese continue to receive advanced training in several fields, Tripathi commented that it is fruitful and quality is one hallmark of the courses offered.

She also assured that India is willing to address any requests for enhancement of the ITEC series as well as broader issues of regional and international relevance.

Touching on matters on the global stage, the delegate said both countries have similar views on the reform and restructuring of the United Nations, to include the expansion of the UN Security Council.

Director General of the Guyana Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper agreed the fruitfulness of the bilateral cooperation and mentioned the tremendous benefits this country has derived from the ITEC scheme and, in more recent times, a sports stadium for Guyana becoming a reality through the financial and technical support of the Indian Government.

She said Guyana is looking forward to the Vice-President of India visiting for the inauguration of the sports facility scheduled for completion by the end of October.

Ms. Harper commended India for its contribution towards peace, security and development and expressed appreciation for its continued role in maintaining dialogue and the exchange of views on matters of mutual interest.

She revealed, too, that the Joint Commission meeting will review political, economic and technical issues, with the aim of creating deeper and expanded bilateral relations.

Other members of the Indian delegation are High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Avinash Gupta; First Secretary in the High Commission, Mr. Mahesh Singhania and Director in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Mr. Dinesh Bhatia.

On the Guyana side with Harper are Guyana High Commissioner to India, Mr. Ronald Gajraj; Director of the Multilateral and Global Affairs Department in the local Ministry, Ms. Jacquelyn Hamer, Acting Director of the Department of the Americas and Asia, Ms. Candide Daniels; Director of the Frontiers Department, Mr. Keith George and Chief of Protocol, Ms. Esther Griffith.