New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday left for Guyana after attending G20 Summit in Brazil’s capital city Rio de Janeiro. During his two visit to the South American nation, PM Modi is also set to attend the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit.
PM Modi Guyana visit is also important as it is the first ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister in over 50 years. During his visit, PM Modi also aims to connect with the oldest Indian diaspora, who migrated more than 185 years ago.
PM @narendramodi is enroute to Georgetown, Guyana on a 2 day visit.
🎥 Here is a glimpse of the historic and multifaceted 🇮🇳-🇬🇾 ties. pic.twitter.com/vSoF8nyO1N
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) November 19, 2024
Shared heritage, culture and values between India and Guyana
In his pre-departure message, PM Modi said he aims at exchanging views on giving strategic direction to unique relationship between both the countries that have shared heritage, culture and values.
“During this visit, I will also join leaders from the Caribbean partner countries for the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit. We have stood together through thick and thin. The Summit will enable us to renew historical ties and expand our cooperation into new domains,” reads PM Modi’s statement.
Growing Indian community in Guyana
While highlighting the importance of the bilateral relationship, India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Amit S. Telang, said India has an expanding Indian community in Guyana, which includes students, professionals, and individuals engaged in trade and commerce.
“India has been working very closely with CARICOM member states. This is part of our initiative called the Voice of Global South. During our G20 presidency, under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, we launched the Voice of Global South initiative. Many CARICOM leaders actively participated in these summits and shared their views,” said Telang.
PM Modi will co-chair the CARICOM Summit with Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell.
Why is PM Modi’s Guyana visit important?
Development cooperation between the two nations is supported by the Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program, which offers 50 scholarships annually, with over 600 Guyanese having been trained through ITEC and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships.
Trade between the two countries remains modest but is steadily growing. India has extended credit for several projects in the field of agriculture and IT, with Indian companies showing interest in biofuels, energy, minerals, and pharmaceuticals.
