Guyana–India relations

Guyana-India relations

Guyana
India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Guyanese President Donald Ramotar and other dignitaries; January 2015.

Indo-Guyanese relations refer to the current and historical relationship between Guyana and India. Both countries were once part of the British Empire. There are approximately 327,000 Guyanese citizens who are of Indian descent. The Indo-Guyanese make up the largest ethnic group in Guyana.

Relations between India and Guyana ever since the independence of Guyana in May 1966 have been cordial.[1] The cordiality in the relation remains unaffected with changes in governments either in India or in Guyana. Late Shrimati Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, visited Guyana in 1968, late Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, the then Vice President of India visited Guyana in 1988 and Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, the then Vice President of India came on a state visit to Guyana in 2006.[1]

Economic Co-operation[1]

The cooperation between the two countries in sharing developmental experience is mainly routed through Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) under which forty scholarships are granted every year in various courses. Besides, some experts are also deputed to Guyana from time to time on request in specified areas of activity. Several other scholarships are also available to Guyanese to pursue long-term courses, to get acquainted with India and to learn Hindi language in India.

India has offered credit facilities to Guyana for use in mutually accepted designated fields, agriculture and information technology, being two of these. Indian companies have also expressed interest in bio fuel, energy, minerals and pharmaceuticals. Total trade turn over remains low, though the trend is positive.

Cultural Connections

Indian Cultural Centre in Georgetown was established in 1972 with the objective of strengthening cultural relations and mutual understanding between India and Guyana and their peoples. The Centre runs regular classes in Yoga and Dance (Kathak). The Centre has a well equipped Auditorium where cultural events are organised on a regular basis. The teachers and students of ICC participate in events by the local community on various occasions round the year. The Centre has a library with books/publications on history, literature, art, culture, mythology and works of eminent scholars and authors.

An important cultural connexion between India and Guyana is cricket. With the advent of the Indian Premier League, many Guyanese players were contracted to play in India.[1]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Indian High Commission Guyana


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