Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives a ceremonial welcome upon his arrival in Georgetown, Guyana on November 19, 2024.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Georgetown, Guyana on Tuesday (November 19, 2024) for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral partnership. As a special gesture, upon his arrival at the airport, he was warmly welcomed by the President of Guyana, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, as well as the Prime Minister of Guyana, Mark Anthony Phillips, and given a ceremonial welcome. More than a dozen ministers from the Government of Guyana were also present at the ceremony. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Guyana in 56 years. Upon arrival at the hotel, Prime Minister Modi was welcomed by President Ali as well as Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley and Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell. He also received a vibrant and colorful welcome from the Indian community and the Indo-Guyanese diaspora in the presence of several Guyana Cabinet Ministers. Between the welcome at the airport and the hotel, the entire Guyanese government cabinet was present, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) said. As a testament to the close friendship between India and Guyana, the Mayor of Georgetown presented the “Key to the City of Georgetown” to Prime Minister Modi. Prime Minister Modi arrived in Guyana after visiting Nigeria and Brazil during his five-day three-country visit. In his departure statement in New Delhi on November 16, he said: “Guyana occupies a unique place in the heart of India, sharing cultural and historical ties. My visit, at the invitation of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, will focus on setting a strategic direction for our partnership while honoring one of India's oldest diasporas. During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will hold delegation-level talks with President Ali, in addition to addressing the Guyana National Assembly and interacting with the Indian diaspora. Prime Minister Modi will also co-chair the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit, strengthening India's commitment to its Caribbean partners and exploring avenues for expanded cooperation. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is a group of 21 countries – 15 member states and 6 associate members. The 1st India-CARICOM Summit was held in 2019 on the sidelines of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA); discussions focused on modalities of cooperation in renewable energy and climate change through a credit line of 150 million US dollars from India. Briefing the media on November 13, 2024, MEA Secretary (East), Jaideep Mazumdar, said India has had a long-standing development partnership with Guyana in the areas of health, connectivity , renewable energy and water. Deepening the bilateral partnership, he said the GRSE shipyard built an ocean ferry which India supplied to Guyana in 2023. India also supplied two HAL-228 aircraft under a line of credit This year. At the same time, solar lighting was provided to 30,000 households.
