TBILISI [Georgia]: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on a two-day visit to Georgia on Saturday met representatives of the Indian community from the country’s Tsnori, Khaketi.
“As I begin the day, nice to meet Indian Community representatives from Tsnori, Khaketi. Their hard work in the agriculture sector has earned a good name, enterprising Indians is our global bridge,” Jaishankar tweeted. The foreign affairs minister had arrived in the country on Friday on a two-day visit on the invitation of his Georgian counterpart David Zalkaliani.
On Friday, the EAM handed over to his Georgian counterpart, a holy relic of Ketevan the Martyr, a 17th-century queen of Kakheti region revered as a saint by the Georgian orthodox church, that was found in India.
After the handing over of the relic placed inside an ornate wooden box a religious ceremony was held attended by Patriarch Ilia II, the spiritual leader of the Georgian orthodox church, and Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.
“Warmly welcomed in Tbilisi by FM David Zalkaliani. blessed to hand over the holy relics of St. Queen Ketevan to the people of Georgia. An emotional moment” Jaishankar said in an earlier tweet.
Zalkaliani said that Jaishankar’s visit will play a huge role in strengthening ties and taking relations of both countries to a completely new level.
Considering the persistent request from the Georgian side for the permanent transfer of the Holy Relics and also taking into account the historical, religious and spiritual sentiments that are attached to the St. Queen Ketevan by the Georgian people, the Government of India decided to gift one part of the Holy Relics to the Government and people of Georgia.
Officials said this will strengthen the bonds of friendship and understanding between India and Georgia.
India, Georgia relations
India and Georgia, during the bilateral meeting discussed economic cooperation, tourism, trade and connectivity, said India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Saturday.
The minister made the remarks after holding a meeting with the Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Georgia David Zalkaliani. “It was a very good discussion. We discussed economic cooperation, tourism, trade and connectivity. Our relationship is doing well. There’re some big Indian projects in Georgia,” said EAM Jaishankar. The minister said he has invited Georgian leaders and business delegation to India. “I invited him to visit India with a business delegation. In India, people need to know more about Georgia, especially about its high ranking in ease of doing business. I’m very confident my visit will be the opening of a new chapter,” he added.
Earlier today, EAM Jaishankar, had met with representatives of the Indian community from the country’s Tsnori, Khaketi.
Jaishankar arrived in Tbilisi on Friday on a two-day official visit. On his arrival, the minister said he was blessed to hand over the holy relics of St. Queen Ketevan to the people of Georgia and it was an emotional moment.
Jaishankar was received by his Georgian counterpart David Zalkaliani on his arrival. Zalkaliani also referred to Jaishankar bringing with him relics of Georgia’s Queen Ketevan and said the visit will play a huge role in strengthening ties and taking the relations to a completely new level.
Jaishankar handed over the Holy Relic of St. Queen Ketevan to the Government and the people of Georgia at a ceremony in the presence of His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia and the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili.
St. Queen Ketevan was a 17th century Georgian Queen who attained martyrdom. Her relics were found in 2005 at the St. Augustine Convent in Old Goa, India, on the basis of medieval Portuguese records. (ANI)