By Kurt Campbell
A total of five landmark agreements were signed between Guyana and India as part of the state visit of India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, on Wednesday.
The visit, which takes place from November 19 to 21, marks a significant milestone in the growing relationship between the two nations, with agreements spanning multiple sectors, including energy, agriculture and health.
Modi is hosted by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, and during talks on Wednesday, both leaders engaged in extensive discussions on a range of bilateral, regional, and multilateral issues.
Among the key developments was the signing of several memoranda of understanding (MOUs) aimed at deepening cooperation between Guyana and India.
These agreements cover a variety of sectors, including hydrocarbons, pharmaceuticals, broadcasting, culture, and agriculture.
What was signed?
- In Health – Cooperation in the field of medical product regulation exchange (sharing of information and collaboration on good laboratory, clinical and manufacturing practices in health
- In the Hydrocarbon Sector – cooperation framework to enhance bilateral collaboration in the hydrocarbon sector, joint studies and capacity building
- In Agriculture – bilateral cooperation (promotes collaboration between Guyana and India through joint activities, exchange expertise and capacity building
- In Finance – an MoU to establish mutual understanding regarding a strategic alliance to explore deployment of UPI real-time payment systems in Guyana
- In Health – a MoU on pharmacopeia cooperation – medicine regulation
The signing of these agreements is expected to significantly enhance the bilateral relationship between the two countries, paving the way for increased collaboration and shared growth.
According to Dr. Ali, discussions were also advanced in the areas of defense, technology transfer and infrastructure.
“India will support our sugar industry… they sill support our corn and soy planting… in the midst of all of this is research and development,” Dr. Ali said even as he noted the support to advance Guyana’s vaccine manufacturing ambitions.
A highlight of the visit was the emphasis placed on energy cooperation. Both leaders recognised the critical role of energy in achieving sustainable development goals.
They committed to fostering a fair and equitable energy transition through strengthened cooperation in areas such as hydrocarbon trade, petroleum products, and technology transfer.
Additionally, both nations pledged to enhance collaboration on the gas-to-energy project, clean energy initiatives, and the development of deep-water port infrastructure.
The partnership also extends to the solar energy sector, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to promoting renewable energy. This includes collaboration through the International Solar Alliance to increase energy access and security.
Additionally, the two leaders placed great emphasis on advancing healthcare, particularly through telemedicine and capacity building in health workforce training. Both countries agreed to share knowledge and resources to improve healthcare systems, focusing on the wellbeing of their citizens.
The two leaders acknowledged the urgent need to address climate change, with both countries vulnerable to its impacts. They pledged to work together on initiatives aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change, reducing carbon emissions, and conserving biodiversity.
“I would say the discussions and agreement we have signed this morning only lay more work for us and we have committed ourselves to this work,” Dr. Ali added
The discussions also included a focus on global geopolitical stresses and the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving conflicts. Both leaders expressed support for comprehensive reforms to the United Nations, advocating for greater representation of small island developing states like Guyana.
As a sign of their commitment to continuous progress, both leaders agreed to hold regular high-level meetings and consultations to further strengthen their bilateral relationship. This partnership promises to drive sustainable development, foster peace, and support prosperity in both countries and beyond.
In closing, Prime Minister Modi expressed his sincere gratitude to the Government and people of Guyana for their warm hospitality, emphasizing the strong ties between the two nations and their shared vision for the future.
He recalled visiting Guyana over 20 years ago as a private citizen, underscoring his close relationship with leaders here.
“I consider it my good fortune to be back here as Prime Minister today.”
