New Delhi: Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali has appreciated India for leading the way in technology, renewable energy, and sustainable development.

Irfaan Ali, who was the chief guest at the 17th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD), was quoted as saying by ANI, “India has been leading the way in technology, renewable energy, the soil movement and sustainable development. I’m just very keen on looking at the different models that India would have utilized in building its economy.”

He said he plans to position his country as a regional food and energy security leader.

The President said  Guyana wishes to play the role of the regional player within the Caribbean and Latin American region.

“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,” he was quoted as saying by ANI.

President of India Droupadi Murmu met Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana at Indore, Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday on the sidelines of 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention.

Welcoming President Ali, the President said that we are delighted to have him as the Chief Guest for the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention.

The President said that even though India and Guyana are separated geographically by a large distance, both countries have many things in common, including a colonial past, and multicultural societies. Most importantly, the large Indian Diaspora acts as an enduring link of friendship between India and Guyana, read an official statement.

The President said that bilateral relations between the two countries have strengthened over recent years.

Trade between India and Guyana is also on an upward trajectory. Pointing out the recent major discoveries of oil and gas in Guyana, she said that there is immense scope of cooperation and collaboration between Guyana and India in this area.

India has requisite experience and expertise across the entire oil and gas value chain.