KINGSTOWN: In the presence of Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves,  India President Ram Nath Kovind renamed the "Calder Road" to "India Drive," emphasising India's strong ties with the Caribbean island nation.

President Kovind met with Dame Susan Dougan, Governor-General of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Prime Minister Gonsalves on Thursday as part of his two-nation Caribbean tour. They discussed strengthening cooperation in the fields of information technology, health, education, tourism, and culture, as well as in multilateral fora.

"In Kingstown, President Ram Nath Kovind addressed the Indian origin community. In the presence of Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, the President renamed Calder Road to India Drive "In a tweet on Friday, the White House announced.

President Ram Nath Kovind, the first Indian head of state to visit the island, praised the Indian community for its contributions to the development of their adoptive homeland of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

"I'm relieved to learn that members of the local Indian community have accepted this land as their own. They coexist peacefully with other communities and contribute significantly to the development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). The Indian diaspora in SVG enjoys respect and admiration as a result of their good attitude "he stated, speaking to the Indian diaspora in the United States. "The establishment of Indian Arrival Day on June 1st and Indian Heritage Day on October 7th demonstrates the emphasis that this country places on its Indian connection," he said.

President Kovind made a forceful plea for a plethora of investments in the country, calling India's connection with St. Vincent and the Grenadines "built on the spirit of universal brotherhood." President Kovind also praised the residents of the island nation for developing a democratic, economically dynamic, and multi-ethnic society full of hope during his speech.

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