Georgetown: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Indian diaspora in Guyana for their spirited welcome as he arrived in Georgetown for the final leg of his three-nation visit.

Taking to X, PM Modi said, “A heartfelt thank you to the Indian community in Guyana for their warm and spirited welcome. They have shown that distance is never a barrier to staying connected to one’s roots. Glad to see the community making a mark here across different sectors.”

Along with this, leaders from several nations also welcomed the Prime Minister on his arrival at the hotel, where he was handed a ‘Key to the City of Georgetown’ as a symbol of close bilateral relations.

Sharing details, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated, “On his arrival at the hotel, PM Narendra Modi received a special welcome by President Mohamed Irfaan of Guyana, PM Dickon Mitchell of Grenada, PM Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados and several Cabinet Ministers of Guyana. PM was handed over the ‘Key to the City of Georgetown’ by the Mayor of Georgetown, as a testament to the close India-Guyana ties.”

This historic visit marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister to the South American nation in 56 years, following the trip by Indira Gandhi in 1968. Earlier, upon his arrival in the nation, PM Modi was greeted warmly by Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Mark Anthony Phillips, and senior cabinet ministers.

President Ali extended a personal welcome with a warm hug, symbolising the strong cultural and historic ties between the two nations. PM Modi expressed his appreciation on X, stating, “Landed in Guyana a short while ago. Gratitude to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, PM Mark Anthony Phillips, senior ministers and other dignitaries came to receive me at the airport. I am confident this visit will deepen the friendship between our nations.”

“A special welcome! PM Narendra Modi lands in Georgetown on a State visit to Guyana. In a special gesture, the PM was warmly received by Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali and PM Mark Anthony Phillips and was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the airport,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a post.

Guyana’s Indo-Guyanese population, making up 39.8 per cent of the country’s citizens, forms the largest ethnic group. Many are descendants of Indian indentured labourers brought over by the British Raj in 1838. To honour this heritage, PM Modi will visit the Indian Arrival Monument, commemorating the arrival of the first ship carrying Indian labourers. This diaspora is one of the world’s oldest Indian communities outside India.

India has been a longstanding development partner for Guyana, providing assistance for several projects, including the $25 million National Cricket Stadium and the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT). Trade between the two countries stood at $223.36 million in 2021-22, with energy products constituting a significant portion of Guyana’s exports to India.

The visit underscores PM Modi’s commitment to strengthening India’s ties with Guyana and the broader Caribbean region while addressing global challenges such as energy security, climate change, and economic development.

Mr Modi emphasised the robust ties between India and Guyana during a community event in the Caribbean nation, highlighting shared foundations in culture, cuisine, and cricket. He praised the Indo-Guyanese community for their contributions to Guyana’s development and acknowledged their distinct cultural integration. He did not forget to mention that “Three things, in particular, connect India and Guyana deeply - culture, cuisine and cricket.” Elaborating on the strong connection the two nations share over cricket, he said, “The love for cricket also binds our nations strongly. It is not just a sport but a way of life, deeply embedded in our national identity.” In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Connecting over cricket! A delightful interaction with leading cricket players of Guyana. The sport has brought our nations closer and deepened our cultural linkages.”

He acknowledged the unique food traditions in the Indo-Guyanese community. “The Indo-Guyanese community also has a unique food tradition which has both Indian and Guyanese elements -- I have heard that Dalpuri is popular here...”, he mentioned, recognising the cultural blend that has become characteristic of the community.

Reflecting on his personal visit, PM Modi expressed his gratitude, stating, “...I thank President Ali for opening the doors of his home for me... With President Ali, and his grandmother, we also planted a tree -- it is part of our initiative -- ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’. It was an emotional moment that I’ll always remember. I was deeply honoured to receive the Order of Excellence, the highest national award of Guyana...”

Additionally, he spoke about India’s growth and its global significance, noting, “The people of Guyana are well-wishers of India. You would be closely watching the progress being made in India... In just 10 years, India has grown from the 10th largest economy to the fifth largest and soon we will become the third largest. Our youth has made us the 3rd largest start-up ecosystem in the world... We have reached Mars and the Moon.”