On November 20, 2024, the world witnessed a historic moment when Shri Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, made a landmark visit to Guyana. This marked the first visit by an Indian leader to Guyana in 56 years. The purpose of the trip was to enhance bilateral relations, focusing primarily on cultural ties, strategic energy partnerships, and addressing shared goals with the Caribbean nation.
During his visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi co-chaired the India-CARICOM Summit with representatives from 14 Caribbean nations. He emphasized India’s commitment to supporting the economic and political aspirations of developing states within the Global South. The summit served as a platform to strengthen technical collaboration, enhance diplomatic ties, and advance shared priorities.
A significant highlight of this visit was the conferment of the Order of Excellence of Guyana. Modi became only the fourth foreign leader to receive this prestigious national award from Guyana.
Beyond shared history and culture, PM Modi's visit also underscores the importance of energy partnerships. Guyana is emerging as a major player in the global energy landscape, with oil and natural gas reserves estimated at over 11 billion oil-equivalent barrels—more than three times the reserves of Kuwait, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency. These discoveries position Guyana as a potential key partner in diversifying India’s energy supply.
The summit also addressed strategic partnerships, including India's previous assistance in projects like the $25 million National Cricket Stadium and the Centre of Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT).
India and Guyana have signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at enhancing collaboration across various sectors, such as Health and Pharmaceuticals, Hydrocarbons, Agriculture, and Banking and Payments. Furthermore, as part of this initiative, India pledged to set up a Jan Ausadhi Kendra in Guyana to increase access to affordable medicines.
As the two nations move towards deeper cooperation, PM Modi’s visit marks an important chapter in reinforcing both cultural bonds and strategic partnerships in the energy sector. The coming days are expected to lay a strong foundation for continued collaboration between India and the CARICOM nations.
