Conakry : President Ram Nath Kovind has been conferred with the National Order of Merit, the highest award of Guinea, during his official visit to the West African Nation.
Kovind dedicated the honour to the people of India, to their respect and regard for the Guinean people and to the long-standing mutual friendship between the two countries.
The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, attended the Indian community reception, hosted by Sailas Thangal, Ambassador of India to Ivory Coast on Saturday in Conakry, Guinea.
“May this recognition ever inspire us as we work together towards taking our relations to greater heights, and may this be our everlasting symbol for our mutual trust and confidence,” Kovind said after being conferred with the honour by President of Guinea Alpha Conde.
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.
On Saturday, Kovind and Conde held delegation-level talks aimed at further deepening relations between the two countries.
