MoS Muraleedharan discusses bilateral cooperation with Gambian Prez Adama Barrow

During his two-day visit to Republic of Gambia, Indian Minister of State (MoS) V Muraleedharan called on Gambian President Adama Barrow as well as or dignitaries and discussed bilateral cooperation between two countries on Tuesday, vember 2. MoS was on visit to West African country from vember 1 to 3, according to a press statement by Ministry of External Affairs. minister's visit comes President Ram Nath Kovind's first-ever state visit to Gambia in August 2019. Muraleedharan held fruitful discussions with Barrow on a range of issues including Agriculture & capacity building & Infrastructure.  MoS also signed two agreements during his visit: a General Framework Agreement for Cooperation between India and Gambia, and an Agreement on Exemption from Visa Requirement for Holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports.

During visit, a repurposing of a USD 500,000 grant for purchase of dialysis machines was anunced, upon Gambia's request. According to press release, Gambian foreign minister Dr Mamadou Tangara and  Muraleedharan jointly released design for a commemorative stamp marking India's 75th anniversary of independence. Minister of State also paid a visit to Gambia's National Assembly Building Complex in Banjul, which is one of most table Line of Credit projects in West Africa. In Greater Banjul area, he also toured two current Indian LOC projects — an Electrification Expansion Project and a water project to replace asbestos water pipes with UPVC.

Muraleedharan visits Gamba's National Assembly

Muraleedharan also paid a visit to construction site of Katchikally Museum and University of Gambia, which is a Gambian government initiative being built by an Indian company, release stated. Besides, MoS also met with members of Indian community in Gambia and visited country's National Assembly. According to him, National Assembly is an "impressive building, built with our development partnership." project includes a dome and skylight structure that allows natural light while conserving energy, he added. "Our development partnership speaks! Took a tour of National Assembly of Gambia with Speaker Ms Mariam Jack Denton and FM Dr Mamadou Tangara. An impressive building, built with our development partnership, has dome and skylight structure allowing natural light and conserving energy," Muraleedharan tweeted. 

(With inputs from ANI)

(Im: Twitter/@V. Muraleedharan)