New Delhi [India], November 22: The first Indian Prime Minister to visit Guyana in over half a century, Hon. Shri Narendra Modi’s State visit to Guyana from November 19 to 21, as part of a three-nation tour to Africa and South America, promises to open important avenues of cooperation, while rekindling ties bound by a shared colonial past, cultural bonds and exchange of strategic interests.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Guyana will redefine a partnership that has flourished across economic, technological, educational and cultural domains, which are strengthened by the mutual engagement of top leaders from both the countries in the recent past.
Since assuming office in 2014, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has embarked on numerous state visits, significantly enhancing India’s diplomatic and economic relations worldwide. His travels have not only bolstered bilateral ties but also positioned India as a key player on the global stage.
In line with this, the Second CARICOM-India Summit in Georgetown, co-chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is expected to focus and strengthen areas of key issues like economic development, climate change, and security, and widen the potential for multilateral collaborations in energy, technology, infrastructure, food security and pharmaceuticals, as well as human resources and capacity building.
The recent past visit of His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali to India and the subsequent interactions with Indian leaders have opened new avenues for collaboration. In addition, the visit of the Vice President, Hon. Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and other government officials to India reciprocated by the visit of senior Indian government officials to Guyana has set the stage for a new era of cooperation and collaboration.
The migration of Indians to Guyana during the 19th century has left a lasting impact, with Indo-Guyanese now forming a significant part of the country’s population. who coexist peacefully with the other ethnic communities, contributing to the multicultural tapestry of the nation. The cultural bond is celebrated through festivals such as Diwali and Holi, which are observed with great enthusiasm across Guyana, reflecting the deep-rooted cultural connections.
The diplomatic relations between India and Guyana, established in 1966, have evolved into a multifaceted partnership based on shared values, cultural exchange, and strategic collaboration.
The establishment of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Georgetown in 1972 further strengthened these ties and offers classes in Indian classical dance, music, yoga, and Hindi, serving as a vibrant hub for cultural activities and exchanges.
In recent years, India has significantly extended its support to Guyana, strengthening the bond between the two nations, marked by various initiatives aimed at fostering healthcare, education, agriculture, enhancing security, infrastructure and promoting sustainable development.
One of the most significant contributions of India in the recent past was In March 2021, when India donated 80,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to Guyana. The impact of this support was profound, as it helped curb the spread of the virus and save countless lives.
India has made significant contributions to Guyana’s defense capabilities. Notably, India provided two Dornier-228 aircraft to the Guyana Defense Force, enhancing the country’s aerial surveillance and disaster response capabilities.
India supports to facilitate the education and training to Guyanese professionals under the ITEC program. In addition, Guyanese students also avail fully funded scholarships through the Indian High Commission.
Guyana, being the only English speaking country in South America has also become one of the preferred destination for Indian students to study medicine with its syllabus based on the North American curriculum. Texila American University in Guyana is of few fully accredited medical university in the region and more than 50% of its International students hail from India who live and study there to pursue their dream to become doctors.
India’s support to Guyana in the agricultural sector has been instrumental in enhancing Guyana’s agricultural productivity using Precision Farming Techniques and Smart Irrigation Systems, a game changer for Guyana’s agriculture.
In Infrastructure, India through a concessional LOC has funded the East Bank-East Coast Road Linkage Project, and in the past funding was provided to upgrade the Bartica, Suddie and the West Demerara Regional Hospitals.
India’s support extends beyond healthcare, defense, education, infrastructure and agriculture. The country has provided solar lighting for about 30,000 households in indigenous communities in Guyana, improving living conditions and promoting sustainable energy solutions.
This historic state visit of the Hon. Prime Minister of India has set the stage for deeper cooperation and mutual prosperity, reinforcing the strong ties between India, Guyana and Caribbean at large.
By- Saju Bhaskar S P, Founder and Chancellor, Texila American University
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Publish date : 2024-11-22 20:56:00
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