President Kovind meets Jamaica Governor-General Patrick Allen, discusses bilateral cooperation

Kingston: President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday met Governor-General of Jamaica Patrick Allen at King's House in Kingston as part of his four-day visit to Jamaica and discussed bilateral cooperation in the field of IT and related services, medical, sports, education, tourism and hospitality industry.

President Kovind, accompanied by his wife Savita Kovind, arrived here on Sunday on a state visit and this is also the first by any Indian President to the Caribbean country. "President Ram Nath Kovind met Sir Patrick Allen, Governor-General of Jamaica. They discussed bilateral cooperation in the field of IT and related services, medical and pharma sector, sports and education, tourism and hospitality industry and development partnership," the President tweeted.
Earlier, the President laid a wreath at the shrine of Marcus Garvey, the national hero of Jamaica.
The President who visited here on the first leg of his two-nation visit will be in Jamaica till May 18 and then will travel to St Vincent and Grenadines.

Upon his arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, President Kovind was accorded a ceremonial welcome, a Guard of Honour and a 21-gun-salute, in the first-ever visit by an Indian Head of State. The President of India was escorted by the Chief Defence Staff of Jamaica, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
During the President's visit to Jamaica, several important programmes are scheduled. He will visit the PM house where he will meet Prime Minister Andrew Holness. A signing ceremony (MOU agreement) will also be held at PM house.

President Kovind will also inaugurate "Ambedkar avenue", a road named after Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar tomorrow. He will also inaugurate the Jamaica-India friendship garden.

In the evening, President Ram Nath Kovind will gift cricket kits to aspiring cricketers in Jamaica. A Cricket kit will be handed over to Billy heaven, President of the Jamaica Cricket Association.
There have been regular bilateral tournaments between India and the West Indies cricket team. Some of the matches (T-20, ODI and Test matches) take place in Kingston as well. This has made India and Jamaica natural partners for cooperation in sports. An MOU in the field of sports cooperation between the two countries is in the final stages.

The programme will conclude with a Diaspora community event. India is committed to strengthening linkages with the Jamaican Diaspora and encouraging their participation in the process of national development.

President Kovind is on a state visit to Jamaica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from May 15 to 21. He had a one-day technical halt in Milan, Italy. This is the first visit by the Head of State of India to these two countries.
India and Jamaica have traditionally enjoyed cordial relations based on democratic values, common linkages of history, a Parliamentary democratic system, membership in the Commonwealth, use of the English language and the love for cricket. (ANI)