In the spirit of South South cooperation, India has provided substantive support to Grenada in a variety of developmental areas, including Information Technology (IT), agriculture and scholarships. India has provided nine scholarships in 2005 for Grenadians in IT related areas, including law enforcement, advanced finger print science, as well as poultry production and management of breeder stock. Four scholarships have also been awarded for 2006.

Additionally, India provided emergency medical supplies immediately after the passage of Hurricane Ivan and this week handed over a shipment of galvanized roofing.

Coordination of support from the Government of India has been facilitated by the ARD, and during the handing over ceremony today ARD Chief Executive Officer Richardson Andrews noted the frequency with which the Acting High Commissioner and other officials from India have visited Grenada during this post-Ivan period.

Mr. Andrews said in addition to material support and the provision of scholarships, the Government and people of India have provided moral support to the Government and people of Grenada. He said this bodes well for the further deepening of relations between the two countries.

The Acting High Commissioner noted the progress achieved in reconstruction, and congratulated the ARD for its role in facilitating the process.

While in Grenada Acting High Commissioner Rajasekhar met with Permanent Secretaries in the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Health and the Environment, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The Acting High Commissioner congratulated Grenada for the “remarkable feat” of moving up the United Nations Human Development Index by an impressive 30 points at a time when the Country was devastated by two hurricanes within a 10-month period.