Guyana to play crucial role in India’s energy security: Modi

India and Guyana today signed a memorandum of cooperation to source crude oil and collaborate for the development of infrastructure, natural gas and capacity building in the hydrocarbon value chain.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-day visit (November 19 to 21) to Guyana, held a bilateral meeting with Guyanese President Mohd Irfan Ali in Georgetown today.

In his opening remarks, Modi said: “Guyana will play a crucial role in India’s energy security. A blueprint for a long-term partnership will be prepared in this regard”. Modi, who is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Guyana in 56 years, said: “We are crafting our mutually beneficial partnership”.

“In today’s meeting, we identified several new initiatives to strengthen our cooperation. We will continue to make efforts to enhance our mutual trade and economic cooperation. India has made significant contributions to skill development and capacity building in line with the needs of the people of Guyana,” Modi said.

Earlier, Modi in his remarks said India and Guyana would cooperate in increasing the cultivation of rice milling, sugarcane, corn, soya and other crops.

Guyana Prez calls PM Modi champion among leaders

Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling him a champion among leaders. “It is our greatest honor to have you here. You are a champion among leaders. You have led incredibly. You have shown light to the developing world and you have created development metrics and framework that many are adopting in their own country,” Ali said.