Guyanese Indians prepare for historic visit of PM Modi

Ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival in Guyana, Indian-origin people in the oil-rich Caribbean nation have expressed their enthusiasm about his "historic" state visit. An estimated nearly 40 per cent of the population is of Indian-origin.

PM Modi had in a statement ahead of embarking on a five-day visit said his visit to Guyana, at the invitation of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, will be "the first-ever" of an Indian Prime Minister in over 50 years.

"We will exchange views on giving strategic direction to our unique relationship, which is based on shared heritage, culture and values. I will also pay my respects to one of the oldest Indian diaspora, who migrated more than 185 years ago, and engage a fellow democracy, as I address their Parliament," he said.

Further he said, "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."

CARICOM (Caribbean Community and Common Market) is a political and economic union of 15 member states and five associate members in the Caribbean, Americas, and Atlantic Ocean. The organisation was founded in 1973 in Chaguaramas, Trinidad.

Speaking to ANI, High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Amit S Telang hailed the visit and said," The significance of the visit lies in the fact that our two countries have traditionally shared very warm and, I would say historical relations. And this visit, as it is happening after almost five decades, or 56 years to be precise, is a symbol of the deep friendship, the mutual trust, and the kind of cooperation that our two countries have experienced over the years."

He added that India and Guyana have aimed to strengthen cooperation in key areas, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, renewable energy, information and communication technology, and education.

Telang also underlined the strong cultural and historical ties between India and Guyana, noting that nearly 40 percent of Guyana's population is of Indian origin. "We also have an expanding Indian community here in Guyana, which includes students, professionals, and of course, people who are engaged in trade and commerce. There's a lot of excitement, enthusiasm, and optimism about the visit. I'm sure the visit of Prime Minister Modi will create new momentum in our partnership," he said.

He further highlighted India's engagement with CARICOM (Caribbean Community and Common Market) member states, of which Guyana is a part. "India has been working very closely with the CARICOM member states. This is also part of our initiative called the Voice of Global South. During our G20 presidency, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, we started the initiative of Voice of Global South. Many leaders from CARICOM actively participated in these summits and shared their views," he stated.

The formal structure of relationship between India and Guyana comprises a bilateral joint commission at the ministerial level, the fourth session of which was held in Georgetown in May 2008, periodic consultations between the foreign offices, the third round of which was held in Georgetown in July 2011, cultural exchange programme and a joint business council between the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce &Industry (FICC) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce &Industry (GCCI).

The cooperation between the two countries in sharing developmental experience is mainly routed through Indian Technical &Economic Cooperation (ITEC) under which fifty scholarships are granted every year in various courses. Besides, some experts are also deputed to Guyana from time to time on request in specified areas of activity. Several other scholarships are also available to Guyanese to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, Masters, Medical and other course under ICCR's various scholarship schemes. So far more than 600 scholars from India have undertaken training under ITEC.

India has offered credit facilities to Guyana for use in mutually accepted designated fields, agriculture and information technology, being two of these. Indian companies have also expressed interest in bio fuel, energy, minerals and pharmaceuticals. Total trade turn over remains low, though the trend is positive and encouraging.

The Prime Minister's visit is expected to open new avenues for collaboration, strengthening India-Guyana ties and encouraging regional partnerships.

(ANI)