External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Unveils Mahatma Gandhi's Statue In Georgia, Concludes 2-Day Visit

Unveiling Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Georgia, the Union External Affairs Minister concluded his 2-day visit "with an abiding memory of its Goa connect".

Photo: Twitter/@DrSJaishankar

New Delhi: Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Georgian counterpart David Zalkaliani unveiled a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the Tbilisi Park in Georgia on Saturday.

S Jaishankar arrived in Tbilisi on Friday for his two-day official visit. He was received by Zalkaliani.

In a tweet, Union External Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar wrote, "A fitting conclusion to a memorable visit. Joined by VPM/FM @DZalkaliani in unveiling the Mahatma Gandhi statue in a prominent Tbilisi Park."

Earlier in the day, both Jaishankar and his Georgian counterpart David Zalkaliani held a bilateral meeting and discussed economic cooperation, tourism, trade, and connectivity between the two countries.

"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," the Union Minister said.

Dr. S Jaishankar also 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 Georgia's Prime Minister 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.

Writing about the same, he tweeted: "Returned from Georgia with an abiding memory of its Goa connect".

"Honoured to represent India at the ceremony to mark the return of the holy relics of St. Queen Ketevan. Expressed gratitude to the people of Goa for taking care of Georgia’s valuable heritage. Moved by the ceremony at the Sameba Holy Trinity Cathedral," he had earlier written.