Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Guyana, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the South American nation in 56 years. The last Indian leader to visit was Indira Gandhi in 1968. In a gesture reflecting the strong ties between the two nations, Guyana’s President Irfan Ali and over a dozen Cabinet ministers personally welcomed PM Modi at the airport in Georgetown.

Historic Visit Highlights

• PM Modi received a ceremonial welcome and a Guard of Honour upon his arrival.
• His visit aims to strengthen the longstanding ties between India and Guyana, with a focus on shared heritage and strategic collaboration.

Co-Chairing the India-Caricom Summit

PM Modi will co-chair the Second India-Caricom Summit alongside Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, the current Chairman of Caricom, in the presence of leaders from all Caricom member countries.

The summit will emphasize:

• India’s role as the voice of the Global South.
• Cooperation in energy, infrastructure, agriculture, health, technology, and capacity building.

India previously offered a $150 million credit line to Caricom countries for climate change and renewable energy projects during the first summit in 2019.

Strategic Focus: Energy and Collaboration

The visit is expected to explore avenues for India’s energy security, with Guyana emerging as a major player in petroleum and natural gas.

• According to the US Energy Information Agency, Guyana’s oil and natural gas reserves are estimated at over 11 billion barrels, more than three times that of Kuwait’s.
• This positions Guyana as a key partner in India’s efforts to diversify its energy sources.

Cultural and Economic Ties

India-Guyana relations are strengthened through several initiatives:

1. Cultural Exchange and Education:

   • Over 600 Guyanese students have been trained under India’s ITEC program, and scholarships are offered for undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
   • The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) plays an active role in fostering academic exchanges.

2. Development Projects:

   • India funded the National Cricket Stadium in Guyana, a venue for the T20 World Cup.
   • Credit facilities have been extended for agriculture, IT, and other infrastructure projects.

3. Trade Relations:

   • In 2021-22, bilateral trade reached $223.36 million, with energy products forming a significant portion of Guyana’s $156.96 million exports.

Indian Diaspora in Guyana

Indians make up 39.8% of Guyana’s population, with Hindus comprising 28.4%, the largest religious group. The diaspora serves as a cultural and economic bridge between the two nations.

Significance of the Visit

PM Modi’s visit is expected to:

• Strengthen bilateral ties and regional cooperation.
• Enhance India’s presence in South America and the Caribbean.
• Lay the groundwork for increased economic and energy collaboration.

This historic visit underscores the importance of India-Guyana relations and reaffirms India’s commitment to fostering global partnerships.