'It's a bond of blood': Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali hails ties with India after meeting 'Op. Sindoor' delegation

After meeting India's all-party delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, Ali expressed his strong stand against terrorism and stressed on ties with New Delhi on several fronts.

"Guyana has consistently made it very clear that terrorism and extremism have no place in this world. Terrorism and extremism are against every aspect of human dignity, and we reject it in every shape and form. We believe that everything must be done to ensure that terrorism and extremism are defeated at every front," the Guyanese President told ANI.

 "India and Guyana share an extraordinary relationship but it's much more than a relationship. It's a bond of blood. Indians make up a significant section of the Guyanese population... India has been a very close partner from economic, political, foreign relations perspective.

"Over the years, we have seen massive investments from India in every aspect of development here in Guyana... we are hoping more Indian investors, Indian technology...digital products will be part of our own development...," he added, highlighting the prospects of the bilateral ties.

Tharoor, a former diplomat who belongs to the primary opposition party in India, sent a strong message to Pakistan from Guyana asserting that New Delhi will strike back if they are hit.

Tharoor said, "...We are at peace today, and we want to remain at peace. That's also a very strong message, but we want to remain in peace with strength, as your President said yesterday, not out of fear. We are not afraid that these people would hit us again.

"If they hit us again, they going to get it back worse. We are determined to convey our steely determination and resolve, and we want the world to react, also not with fear, but also not with indifference..."

Stressing on India-Guyana bilateral ties, Tharoor said, " Guyana's importance to us...there's certainly the additional element that it is a member of the Security Council, and as such, its voice is heard when 15 members of the council are formulating a response to any incident peace and security under which obviously our recent troubles follow from...we would hope that Guyana would be among the friends who will speak up in favour of us, but it's I don't want to presume, as an outsider, what any sovereign country will do.

"All I can say is we will request the President of Guyana and Foreign Minister to convey to their delegation how much importance and value we attach to their constructive assistance on ensuring that the world, in the voice of the UN Security Council, stands up against terror and for its victims, as well as frankly, against those who would shield, guide, finance, arm, equip and direct these terrorists who have been sent against our country."

Operation Sindoor was a fierce military operation launched by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on May 7, in response to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists who were enjoying their vacation at Baisaran Valley, which is referred to as India's Switzerland.

The operation aimed to dismantle terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

After the Pakistan Army again targeted Indian civilians and resorted to cross-border firing, the Indian Armed Forces retaliated, destroying defence systems of the hostile neighbour.

On Pakistan's appeal, India responded with a ceasefire on May 10 but Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned of fresh retaliation if Islamabad goes astray.