GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC -India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, arrived here on Tuesday for a three-day visit with Guyana, indicating that the bilateral talks with President Dr. Irfaan Ali will focus on “a wide array of issues, with particular emphasis on military cooperation and addressing the challenges of climate change.”
Ali said the discussions will explore agro-processing, technology, climate adaptation opportunities, and mutual support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
“Also, we have to look at the building out of the health care sector because they are big into health/ tourism. We are trying to enter that market to see how we can build our healthcare system to be a revenue arm for us. These are some things that will be on the agenda,” he added.
The governments of India and Guyana also agreed to establish working groups to advance the bilateral cooperation agenda in agriculture and food production, information and communications technology, energy, ayurvedic and wellness, natural medicine and development, and defense.
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will co-chair the second India-Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Summit alongside Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, the current CARICOM chairman, and President Ali.
He will also address the National Assembly, visit the Mahatma Gandhi statue at the Promenade Garden, and pay homage at the Indian Arrival Monument in the Monument Garden.
According to the government statement, Guyana and India already have a strong bilateral relationship, which is underpinned by historical and cultural ties.
The two countries have been directly linked through mutual investments in renewable energy and sustainable development. India has also extended Lines of Credit to Guyana for various development projects, such as constructing roads, bridges, and hospitals.
Notable projects that have benefitted India’s financing include the Solar Home Systems project and the MV MA Lisha.
Further, the Indian government offers a plethora of courses in the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) to eligible officers across government ministries to help them build human capacity development.
In particular, the Guyana Defence Force continues to nominate officers to participate in army and naval training courses.
President Ali visited India in January last year as the chief guest at the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, where he was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman.
Guyana and India established diplomatic relations on May 26, 1966.
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