GEORGETOWN, Guyana — The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, made his inaugural visit to Guyana on Wednesday, becoming the first Indian leader to do so in over half a century. This trip is particularly significant given the strong diaspora connections between the two nations.

Guyana, which serves as the base for the Caribbean trade organization known as Caricom, played host to Modi as he engaged in discussions with regional leaders during the India-Caricom summit, the last of which took place in 2019.

During his visit, Modi expressed his commitment to bolstering the region’s capabilities in various sectors, including health, energy, and agriculture. In his discussions, he highlighted the significance of Guyana’s emerging status as an oil powerhouse, especially following the discovery of substantial oil and gas reserves off its coast since 2015. He emphasized, “Guyana will play an important role in India’s energy security.”

After his discussions with Guyanese President Irfaan Ali, Modi reiterated his commitment to enhancing agricultural outputs in Guyana, recognizing the critical nature of food security for island nations.

The economic ties between India and Guyana have notably strengthened in recent years. India has extended credit lines to Guyana for military passenger aircraft and contributed funding for a fast river ferry service, which is essential for reaching remote jungle areas near Venezuela.

Moreover, Modi looked back at the historical context of Indian labor in Guyana, noting that many East Indian indentured laborers were brought to the country during British colonial times. Currently, this demographic constitutes nearly 40% of the population, making an integral contribution to the nation’s rich cultural tapestry.

In summary, Modi’s visit not only marks a historic occasion as it is the first by an Indian prime minister since Indira Gandhi visited in 1968, but it also underscores the deepening of diplomatic and economic relationships between India and Guyana.