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PM Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with President Mohamed Irfaan Ali and will address a special sitting of Guyana’s parliament
PM Modi lands in Georgetown. (Screengrab/ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Guyana in 56 years. He received a heart-warming and ceremonial welcome as he reached Georgetown.
PM Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with President Mohamed Irfaan Ali and will address a special sitting of the South American nation’s parliament.
#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour in Georgetown, GuyanaDuring his visit, PM Modi will hold a bilateral with President Mohamed Irfaan Ali and will address a special sitting of Guyana’s parliament. He will also join leaders from… pic.twitter.com/3cnVzCGOeD
— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024
India’s Envoy to Guyana, Amit S Telang, emphasised the importance of the visit, stating, “This visit is significant as it reflects the long-standing and warm relationship between our two countries, which I would describe as historically strong. After almost five decades—56 years to be precise—this visit serves as a symbol of the enduring friendship, mutual trust, and cooperation that have developed between us over the years.”
Meeting with CARICOM Leaders
He further highlighted the growing ties between India and Guyana, noting, “Our Indian community in Guyana is also expanding, including students, professionals, and those involved in trade and commerce. There is great excitement, enthusiasm, and optimism surrounding this visit, and I am confident that Prime Minister Modi’s trip will bring fresh momentum to our partnership.”
Telang also pointed out India’s active role with CARICOM (Caribbean Community and Common Market), of which Guyana is a member. “India has been collaborating closely with CARICOM nations through our ‘Voice of Global South’ initiative, which was launched during our G20 presidency under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. Many CARICOM leaders participated in these summits and contributed their perspectives,” he remarked.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with other CARICOM leaders at the Caricom-India Summit on Thursday, which he will co-chair alongside Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell. The summit aims to strengthen ties between CARICOM and India, with a focus on areas such as energy, infrastructure, agriculture, food security, health, pharmaceuticals, and technology innovation.
India and Guyana’s relationship is further supported by a joint ministerial commission, cultural exchanges, and a business council between the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI).
Development cooperation is facilitated through the Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program, which offers 50 scholarships annually. Over 600 Guyanese have received training through ITEC and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships. India has also extended credit for agricultural and IT projects, with Indian companies showing interest in biofuels, energy, minerals, and pharmaceuticals. While trade between the two countries remains modest, it is steadily growing.