New Delhi: The State Minister for External Affairs V Muraleedharan will be on a six-day visit next week to Guatemala, Jamaica and the Bahamas where he will hold talks with the top leadership of these countries to improve bilateral relations.
The Minister will pay an official visit to these countries from July 5-10, the External Ministry (MEA) said in a statement.
This will be the first visit of Muraleedharan to Guatemala, Jamaica and the Bahamas as Minister of State and during a visit, he will ask for the top leadership and meet with foreign ministers in these countries, according to MEA.
Muraleedharan’s visit to Guatemala (July 5-6) will follow up on the visit in May 2018 Venkaiiah Naidu vice president.
During a visit, Muraleedharan will meet with the Minister of Economy Guatemala and will interact with the business community, including the Chamber of Chamber of Commerce and Guatemala with the intention of increasing bilateral trade, currently at USD 309.86 million, and increasing investment.
The Minister will also interact with the Indian community in Guatemala which is the current Pro-Tempore president of the Central American Integration System (SICA) which with India has an established engagement mechanism.
Muraleedharan will visit the next Jamaica from July 7-8 and it will be the first visit by a Minister of India for Jamaica in four years, said MEA.
In addition to his official involvement, Muraleedharan will inaugurate Mahatma Gandhi’s breasts in May Pen City and visit Old Harbor Bay where the first Indians landed in Jamaica 175 years ago.
He will also interact with the cross-section of the Jamaican community consisting of business leaders and members of Indian society, MEA said.
The Minister will also visit Bahamas (July 9-10) and it will be the first high-level visit of India to the Caribbean Island.
In addition to his official meeting, Muraleedharan will interact with the Bahamian community consisting of business leaders and members of Indian society.
Indian relations with Jamaica and Bahamas have been friendly and based on democracy, membership of the Commonwealth, English and cultural heritage.
They also support each other’s candidates in various multilateral forows.
The Minister’s visit will provide an opportunity to review progress in bilateral bonds and further strengthen the multi-faceted state relations with the three countries, including in Sica and the Caribbean Community (Caricom), the statement said.