India and Guyana Strengthen Bilateral Ties with Key Agreements in Defence, Trade, and Energy : First visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Guyana in 56 years.
NEW DELHI: India and Guyana took a significant step in bolstering their bilateral ties with the signing of five important agreements on Wednesday. The agreements span multiple sectors including defence, trade, energy, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. The discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali were held with the primary objective of expanding and deepening cooperation between the two nations.
The agreements signed cover a diverse range of areas, notably in hydrocarbons, healthcare, cultural exchange, and agricultural collaboration. These commitments are seen as a framework to elevate the strategic partnership between India and Guyana, which has steadily grown in recent years.
In his media statement following the talks, Prime Minister Modi emphasized Guyana’s growing role in India’s energy security. He revealed that a long-term partnership framework would be put in place to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector. The Prime Minister also pointed out the historical significance of his visit, highlighting that it marked the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Guyana in 56 years. Modi termed the trip as an “important milestone” in the relationship between the two countries.
Prime Minister Modi arrived in Georgetown on Tuesday evening, following his participation in the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During his address, he outlined various new initiatives designed to expand India-Guyana cooperation. “We identified several new avenues to enhance bilateral ties, and we will relentlessly work to boost economic cooperation,” said Modi. He also highlighted the importance of increasing India’s pharmaceutical exports to Guyana, with India being a key supplier of essential pharmaceutical products for the Caribbean nation.
Defence cooperation was another area of focus during the talks. Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed that the close collaboration between India and Guyana in defence signifies a strong bond of “mutual trust.” The two leaders discussed enhancing military and defence exchanges, as well as exploring joint efforts in regional security.
On the global stage, both India and Guyana expressed their commitment to resolving international disputes through dialogue and diplomacy. They reiterated the need for reform in global institutions to better address the challenges of the modern world.
President Irfaan Ali, in his statement, also underlined the significance of Prime Minister Modi’s visit, stating that it marked a “pivotal moment” in strengthening the relationship between the two nations. Ali praised the collaborative spirit and underscored the importance of the agreements in fostering future cooperation in key sectors.
The warmth of the bilateral ties was reflected in the unprecedented welcome given to Prime Minister Modi. Upon his arrival, Modi was greeted at the airport by Guyanese President Ali, alongside his counterpart, Vice President Mark Anthony Phillips, and more than a dozen cabinet ministers. In a show of solidarity and shared purpose, the Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell, and the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, also joined the welcoming party, underscoring the significance of the visit.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit is seen as a major step toward strengthening the economic and strategic partnership between India and Guyana, with a focus on long-term collaboration in critical sectors. With an eye on future growth, both nations are committed to continuing their efforts to expand the scope of their cooperation and to play an active role in addressing regional and global challenges.
As the two countries move forward, the agreements signed during this historic visit are expected to pave the way for a more robust partnership, benefiting not only India and Guyana but the wider region as well.