New Delhi, April 21 (Agency) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is visiting Guyana, on Friday met with his counterpart from neighbouring Suriname, as part of his meetings with the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Member States. During EAM Jaishankar’s three-day visit to Guyana, he is to meet the Caricom Foreign Ministers at a joint meeting as well as hold one-on-one bilateral discussions. In a tweet, EAM said he met with Suriname Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin and recalled President Chandrikapersad “Chan” Santokhi’s visit to India for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in January.
He said the two sides discussed development partnership, cultural cooperation, and the International Big Cat Alliance, which was announced by PM Modi on April 9 for conservation of the big cats by reaching out to 97 range countries. “Began the morning in Guyana by meeting FM Albert Ramdin of Suriname. Recalled President @CSantokhi’s visit for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas this January which has further deepened our age old ties. “Discussed development partnership, cultural cooperation, security, climate and International Big Cat Alliance. Welcomed his appreciation of the International Year of Millets.” The Suriname President is Chairperson of Caricom – the Caribbean Community – a grouping of 20 countries: 15 Member States and five Associate Members. In Guyana, the EAM will be meeting Foreign Ministers in the India-COFCOR (Council on Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR); a group comprising the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM)) format and hold bilateral meetings with participating Ministers.