Paramaribo [Suriname], June 21 (ANI): President Ram Nath Kovind underscored the South-South cooperation as an important pillar of the Indo-Surinamese relations.

While delivering an address in the Suriname assembly on Wednesday, President Kovind highlighted the various Indian initiatives to strengthen the bilateral relations.

He said that India will extend a Line of Credit of US Dollars 27.5 million to support a power transmission project in Pikin Saron area and another Line of Credit of US Dollars 3.5 million for maintenance of Chetak helicopters.

India will provide financial aid to set up a craft market project and a digital literacy program in Suriname to promote economic sustainability and capacity building of women and children in Suriname.

He further mentioned the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation program aimed at strengthening capacity building partnership with Suriname. As part of the program, a total of 50 scholarships will be awarded to the students.

India will further assist Suriname to establish a Centre of Excellence in Information Technology as part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between two countries.

President Kovind said that his Surinamese counterpart Bouterse has supported India's aspiration to be a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

The two leaders then discussed concerns posed by terrorism and conveyed strong support to each other to fight the global menace.

They pledged to strengthen people-to-people relations and enhance cultural cooperation between India and Suriname.

President Kovind then extended his gratitude towards Suriname's leader for donating land for constructing the new premises of the Indian Cultural Centre in Paramaribo which will be inaugurated jointly by both leaders.

He mentioned of the International Yoga Day scheduled to be held on June 21 as he said "I look forward to celebrating the International Day of Yoga with President Bouterse and other yoga enthusiasts in Suriname. This would be the first time since these celebrations began in 2015 that two Heads of State would be celebrating yoga together. This would, indeed, be historic. I invite all of you to join."

President Kovind is on a three-nation visit to Greece, Suriname, and Cuba. (ANI)

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