AN INDIAN delegation headed by Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. Digvijai Singh, arrived in the country on Sunday on a three-day visit.

Yesterday, the delegation paid courtesy calls on President Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rudy Insanally and Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, Clement Rohee.

While here, the delegation will also meet Prime Minister Sam Hinds and other Ministers of Government.

Discussion will include issues of mutual interest and generally to advance relations between the two countries.

India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Guyana shortly after this country received its independence.

Relations have always been very friendly, with Guyana benefitting from numerous training programmes from India in the fields of agriculture, culture, education and communication.

The Guyana/India Joint Commission promotes and coordinates trade and technical cooperation between the two countries.

India has the world's second largest population with just under 1.1 billion people.

The country has a total area size of approximately 3.3 million square kilometers or slightly more than one-third the size of the United States, with a geographical location near the Indian Ocean trade route that strategically places it to dominate the South Asian sub-continent.

India has the world's fourth largest coal reserve.

This is in addition to significant reserves of iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, titanium, chromite, natural gas, diamonds, petroleum, limestone and arable land.

The country, however, suffers from droughts, flash floods, severe thunderstorms and earthquakes.

India has made impressive gains in economic investments and output over the years, but overpopulation, environmental degradation and extensive poverty among other constraints, along with an ongoing dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir, remain as fundamental concerns for the Government. 

February 4, 2003