Gandhinagar

Guyana today pledged its support to India in its bid to become a permanent member of the powerful United Nations Security Council.

Announcing this at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) here, President of Guyana Donald R Ramotar said India has greater responsibility to support other developing countries and asked New Delhi to play a proactive role in fighting global challenges like climate change.

“India has greater responsibility to support other developing countries. India should play a major role in confronting global challenges like climate change. I want to assure you that my country will support India in securing a permanent seat in UN Security Council,” he said, addressing the mega meet of Indian diaspora at Mahatma Mandir.

He shared the dais with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel, Governor O P Kohli, Union Ministers Sushma Swaraj and Ravi Shankar Prasad, among others.

Paying glowing tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, Ramotar described him “as the greatest man” of his time and recalled his deep influence on the Guyanese people.

He said 2015 is a historic year as it marks the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa, where he fought for basic rights of his countrymen settled there, and later served as an inspiration in the struggle against apartheid.

Ramotar highlighted the long-standing bilateral ties and lauded the contribution of Indian diaspora in the South American country.

“Indian diaspora is the second largest in the world and it includes political leaders, Prime Ministers, Presidents and CEOs of Fortune-500 companies,” he said.

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