Bahamas and India to Broaden Ties in Culture, Education and Technology

NASSAU, Bahamas - The Bahamas and the Republic of India pledged to strengthen their diplomatic relationship in the areas of culture, technology and economic development. 
 
This commitment was expressed as Governor General His Excellency the Hon Arthur Hanna accepted Letters of Commission from His Excellency Mohinder S Grover, High Commissioner of the Republic of India to The Bahamas during a ceremony at Government House Thursday. 
 
“The Bahamas values the cordial relations between our two countries and looks forward to continuing to strengthen our friendly relationship,” the Governor General said. 
 
The Bahamas and India share a wide base of linkages founded on common aspects of history, he said, adding that the diplomatic relations that have followed have consolidated common understanding. 
 
“As members of the global community with many of the same development challenges, our two countries share the highest aspirations and dedication to the development and protection of our world and societies,” the Governor General said. “The multilateral fora in which we both participate bring us together in a joint commitment to ensure that our goals come to fruition.” 
 
It is in this vein that The Bahamas welcomed the triumph of India in November 2007 in assuming the post of secretary-general of the Commonwealth of Nations, which it supported, he said. 
 
“In appreciating the leadership role of India in international affairs, The Bahamas would welcome the high consideration and support of India for upcoming candidacies of The Bahamas to the United Nations, namely the Economic and Social Council and the Commission on Sustainable Development,” the Governor General said. 
 
He said that The Bahamas remains aware of developments that are identifying India as an important player in the international stage with its general elections, the largest democratic exercise in the world in a few weeks, and the hosting of the Commonwealth Games in 2010. 
 
His Excellency said that The Bahamas was also keenly aware of India’s efforts to impact global solutions in respect of the current international economic, energy, environmental and food crises. And, that it was deeply saddened over the terrorist attacks in Mumbai last November. 
 
“Together our countries will strive with others to overcome these and other challenges as we have done in other instances and indifferent times,” he said.
 
High Commissioner Grover also acknowledged that both countries share common linkages in history, parliamentary democracy, membership of the Commonwealth and the English Language. India, like The Bahamas is a member of the Group of 77, Group of 15 and the Non-Alignment Movement. 
 
“Both are developing countries, share similar concerns and common aspirations for accelerated economic growth, eradication of poverty, improvement in the quality of life of our people and promotion of equity,” he said. 
 
The High Commissioner further pledged cooperation in the solar energy sector, to organise training programmes and pursue cooperation in the IT sector on the basis of specific details to be provided by The Bahamas on the ‘Hole in the Wall Education Limited Project’ (HIWEL).
 
 High Commissioner Grover, 57, joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1981. He served his country in Japan, Russia, Kuwait, London and is the Deputy Permanent Representative, PMI, Geneva.