The people of Suriname want to foster strong socio-cultural ties with their Indian counterparts to cement the relations between this country and the South American island, its Ambassador, Mr Krishadett Baijnath, said today.
“The Surinamese are keen to establish deep bilateral socio-cultural and economic relations with their Indian counterparts, particularly those in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar — the land of their forefathers,” he told reporters here.
Mr Baijnath, on a personal visit to Rohtas, said the people of Indian origin back home, popularly called Girmiyas, wanted to build upon the historical ties by expanding contacts in economic activities and socio-cultural exchanges.
There are ample business opportunities in Suriname which the Indian industrialists should consider for investment, with some already engaged in infrastructure works, the envoy said.
He dwelt on opportunities in sugar-related industries, information technology and aquaculture, etc.
Thousands of Indians were taken to Suriname in the 1870s to work as indentured labourers, with most of them having settled down to become an integral part of the society in the island nation. People of Indian origin constitute about 50 per cent of the population.