This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Guyana in 56 years
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Georgetown, Guyana to a rousing welcome on Tuesday (November 19, 2024) for a two-day visit that is aimed at providing a boost to the bilateral partnership. 

As a special gesture, on arrival at the airport, he was warmly received by the President of Guyana, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, along with the Prime Minister of Guyana Mark Anthony Phillips and was accorded a ceremonial welcome. More than a dozen Cabinet Ministers of 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.

On his arrival at the hotel, Prime Minister Modi was welcomed by President Ali along with the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley and the Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell. He also received a rousing and colourful welcome from the Indian community and the Indo-Guyanese diaspora in the presence of several Cabinet Ministers of Guyana. 

Between the welcome at the airport and the hotel, the entire Guyanese government Cabinet was present, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. As a testament to the close India-Guyana friendship, the Mayor of Georgetown handed over the "Key to the City of Georgetown” to Prime Minister Modi.

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Guyana after visiting Nigeria and Brazil as part of his three-nation five-day visit. In his departure statement in New Delhi on November 16, he said, “Guyana holds a unique place in India’s heart, 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 honouring one of the oldest Indian diasporas”. 

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will have delegation level talks with President Ali, in addition to addressing the National Assembly of Guyana and interacting with the Indian diaspora.  

PM Modi will also co-chair the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit, reinforcing India’s commitment to its Caribbean partners and exploring avenues for expanded cooperation.  The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is a grouping of 21 countries - 15 Member States  and 6 Associate Members. The 1st India-CARICOM Summit was held in 2019 in the margins of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA); discussion centred around cooperation modalities in renewable energy and climate change through a US$150 million credit line from India.

Briefing the media on November 13, 2024, Secretary (East) MEA Jaideep Mazumdar said India has had a long-standing developmental partnership with Guyana in the fields of health, connectivity, renewable power, and water.

Elaborating on the bilateral partnership, he said shipyard GRSE built an ocean-going ferry which India supplied to Guyana in 2023. India also supplied two HAL-228 aircraft under a Line of Credit to this year. At the same time, solar lighting has been provided to 30,000 households.