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The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind landed in Conakry, Guinea, yesterday evening (August 1, 2019) in the final leg of his visit to – Benin, The Gambia and Guinea. He became the first Head of State/Head of Government from India to visit Guinea. On his arrival at the Conakry Airport, President Kovind was received by the President of Guinea, Prof Alpha Conde and accorded ceremonial welcome.
Today (August 2, 2019), the President met President Conde. During the subsequent discussions with him, the President said that India is keen to upgrade and enhance its political relations with Guinea. In keeping with the importance India attaches to enhance its ties, it has opened Indian Embassy in Conakry in January this year. Subsequently, the President led delegation-level talks between the two sides.
The President said that India is committed to strengthen economic ties with Guinea in support of Guinea’s National Development Plan. India has provided financial assistance for projects identified by Guinea in the energy, health and transportation sectors, including regional hospitals projects. India extended a new Line of Credit of US$ 170 million for Conakry Water Supply Project.
He was happy to note that India is among the top trading partners of Guinea. He said that India’s growth and Guinea’s natural strengths complement each other. Indian companies are keen to invest in Guinea, especially in the mining, infrastructure, health and pharmaceutical sectors.
The President said that India appreciates Guinea’s leading role in the affairs of the African Unionespecially in dealing with issues of peace, security and stability in West African nations. He stated that terrorism is one of the gravest threats to humanity today and we must work together to strengthen the global fight against this evil.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to reformed multilateralism and for comprehensive reforms of the UN Security Council to make it more representative, accountable, transparent, inclusive and effective. President Alpha Conde conveyed support for India’s candidacy as non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the term 2021 – 2022.
The two Presidents witnessed the signing and exchange of MOUs on:
a. MoU between the Government of the Republic of Guinea and the Government of the Republic of India on cooperation in the field of traditional system of medicine and homeopathy
b. MoU between the Government of the Republic of Guinea and the Telecommunications Consultants India Limited for Participation in the e-VBAB Network Project
c. MoU between the Government of the Republic of Guinea and the Government of the Republic of India on cooperation in the field of renewable energy.
President of India Addresses Indian Community
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, attended the Indian community reception, hosted by Shri Sailas Thangal, Ambassador of India to Ivory Coast today (August 3, 2019) in Conakry, Guinea.
Addressing the gathering, the President said that given the complementary strengths of India and Guinea, there are numerous opportunities in trade and investment and for businesses to grow both ways. Development cooperation is a key element in our engagement with Guinea, from healthcare, fight against Ebola, agriculture, transport to energy security. He noted that the Indian Community in Guinea, though small in number, is vibrant and making significant contribution to the progress of this country. He said that in whatever capacity they may be in this country, each one of them has earned respect and a name for themselves and for India.
The President said that we see our Diaspora as an integral part of our transformative journey. Through their ideas, enterprise and on-ground presence in Guinea, they can foster growth and development in India. He assured them that we stand by them, firmly and strongly, when they need us.
Yesterday evening (August 1, 2019), President Kovind was conferred the National Order of Merit of Guinea, the highest award of Guinea at the banquet hosted in his honour by President Conde. The President dedicated this honour to the people of India, to their respect and regard for the Guinean people and to Guinea-India friendship.
Later today (August 3, 2019), the President will embark on his return journey to India on the successful completion of his three nations visit to - Benin, The Gambia and Guinea. He is expected to land in New Delhi tomorrow morning.
ADDRESS BY THE HON’BLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA SHRI RAM NATH KOVIND AT THE INDIAN COMMUNITY RECEPTION IN GUINEA
- Before I begin, let me introduce the distinguished members of
my delegation - Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Minister of
State for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises & Animal
Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Government of India, he
hails from Odisha; and Shri Dilip Ghosh, Member of
Parliament from West Bengal in the Lok Sabha. I convey my
warm wishes to all of you. I thank you for welcoming me with
such warmth and affection. My State Visit to Guinea is a
historic one. This is the first ever visit at the level of Head of
State from India to this country. Prior to coming here, I also
visited Benin and The Gambia. My three-nation tour is
reflective of our new commitment to enhance our ties with the
West African region and with Africa in general.
Ladies and gentlemen, - Yesterday, I met President Alpha Conde and discussed ways
to promote Guinea-India relations. We are mutually keen to
strengthen and diversify our relations particularly, our
economic ties. Given the complementary strengths of India
and Guinea, there are numerous opportunities in trade
and investment and for businesses to grow both ways.
Development cooperation is a key element in our engagement
with Guinea, from healthcare, fight against Ebola, agriculture,
transport to energy security. To deepen it further, yesterday
we offered a concessional finance assistance of US$ 170
million to fund water projects in Guinea. We are also keen to
implement several solar energy projects under the
International Solar Alliance, where we see Guinea as an
important partner. I am happy that our commitment to support
growth and development in Guinea is also demonstrated by
our private sector. I am told that a large 300-bed Guinea
Friendship Hospital is being built by an Indian entity. This
project will go a long way in providing modern healthcare
services to our friends in Guinea.
Ladies and gentlemen, - I am pleased to learn that the Indian Community in Guinea,
though small in number, is vibrant and making significant
contribution to the progress of this country. Through your
enterprise and business acumen, you have established a
strong trading presence here. Some of you have made
investment in key sectors, both social and economic, creating
new opportunities for the youth in Guinea. There are still
others who have come here as professionals and technocrats
and are supporting the local economy. In whatever capacity
you may be here, each one of you has earned respect and a
name for yourself and for India. We are, indeed, proud of you
and your success. - As a country, we are an ancient civilization with rich cultural
heritage. I am happy that staying far away from India, you
have preserved and nurtured your traditions and festivals. You
had also celebrated the International Day of Yoga on 21 June
this year in Conakry with much fervour. With our Embassy
firmly established in Conakry now, you can do a lot more to
promote cultural interaction between India and Guinea. This
year we are celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of
Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of our Nation. We look forward
to your participation and support to make it a success in
Conakry.
Ladies and gentlemen, - As you know, recently we held parliamentary elections in
India. The new government has received a strong and
decisive mandate. In keeping with this, we have redoubled our
efforts to usher in transformational changes in India. We have
set a target to become a 5 trillion dollar economy in the next 7
years. Along with growth, we are also committed to
distributing the fruits of development to every section of our
society and foster social change. Make in India for
manufacturing, Digital India for digital connectivity, MUDRA
for microfinance, Ayushman Bharat for health insurance and
Beti Bachao- Beti Padhao for women empowerment are some
of our flagship schemes for inclusive and sustainable
development. These are bearing appreciable results. - We see our Diaspora as an integral part of our transformative
journey. Through your ideas, enterprise and on-ground
presence in Guinea, you can foster growth and development
in India. We also want to strengthen our connect with you. Our
initiatives such as the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Bharat Ko
Janiye Quiz and Know India Programme have been most
helpful in this regard. We have also taken measures for
efficient delivery of passport, consular and OCI services. Our
Embassies have been mandated to provide round the clock
service to those in need. We have made effective use of
social media to reach out to people in distress. We have,
indeed, left no stone unturned in helping our brothers and
sisters abroad. Over the last 5 years, we have evacuated over
90,000 Indians, along with nationals of around 50 other
countries, caught in humanitarian disasters and other such
situations overseas. We are there for you and will stand by
you, firmly and strongly, when you need us.
Ladies and gentlemen, - I would like to reiterate how happy I am that you have made a
mark for yourself in this country and done India proud. Indeed,
you have been the true cultural ambassadors of India. Please
continue to carry India’s message of peace, harmony and
goodwill to the world. I wish you success in your professional
and personal endeavours. - Before I conclude, I invite you to visit Rashtrapati
Bhavan when you are in Delhi next. It may be my official
residence, but it belongs to all Indians. It is part of our heritage
and pride. And finally, I take this opportunity to thank the
government and people of Guinea for their love, affection and
support for you as a community. I hope this bond of friendship
and mutual trust between our nations and peoples grows
stronger with time.
