As the last stop of his historic three-nation visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for Guyana.

In 56 years, PM Modi will be the first Indian prime minister to visit Guyana.

In the presence of leaders from every CARICOM nation, PM Modi will co-chair the second India-CARICOM Summit with Prime Minister Grenada, who is now the organization’s chairman.

In addition, PM Modi is expected to speak to the Guyana National Assembly and engage in delegation-level discussions with President Irfaan Ali.

A bilateral joint commission at the ministerial level, whose fourth session was held in Georgetown in May 2008, and recurring consultations between the foreign offices of the two countries, the third of which was held in Georgetown in July 2011, comprise the formal framework of India-Guyana relations.

Relationships are further strengthened via cultural exchange initiatives and a joint business council between the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI).

The main vehicle for fostering developmental collaboration between the two nations is the Indian Technical and Economic collaboration (ITEC) program, which provides 50 scholarships each year in a range of sectors. On request, specialists are also sometimes sent to Guyana to help in certain fields.

Guyanese students are able to attend undergraduate, graduate, medical, and other courses with additional scholarships provided by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Over 600 Indian academics have received training under ITEC to far.

Guyana has also received loan facilities from India in areas like information technology and agriculture that both parties have agreed upon. Indian businesses have shown interest in industries including energy, minerals, medicines, and biofuels. Although the turnover of bilateral commerce is still low, the trend is encouraging.

It is anticipated that the Prime Minister’s visit would foster wider regional alliances, strengthen India-Guyana relations, and create new opportunities for cooperation.

After attending the G20 conference and highlighting India’s role in addressing poverty and hunger, PM Modi left Brazil. On the fringes of the summit, he also hosted the second bilateral meeting between Australia and India.