Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached the final leg of his three-nation tour, which included stops in Nigeria and Brazil. Now in Guyana, Modi’s outreach to the countries of the Global South continues. The visit to Guyana is particularly significant, given its newfound oil reserves and its sizeable Indian-origin diaspora, which have piqued India’s interest.

However, the trip is not solely to India’s advantage; a wide range of issues are being discussed between the two nations, including energy, trade, and regional security. Both sides are acutely aware of the visit’s significance, underscored by the Guyanese government conferring its highest civilian award on Modi and welcoming him with a guard of honour. This also marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Guyana in more than 56 years.

Guyana is poised to become one of the world’s major oil-producing nations. Its neighbour, Suriname, is also on the brink of its own revolution in natural oil and gas production. For India, what better region to secure a positive energy supply chain than one that is home to one of the largest Indian diasporas?

India And Guyana

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Guyana marks the latest in a series of high-level engagements between the two nations. Last year, Guyana’s President, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, was the chief guest at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, the highest honour for persons of Indian origin.

Energy security has been at the top of the agenda, with both parties expected to sign several energy and defence agreements. India is also drawing on Guyana’s unique history; nearly 40 per cent of the nation’s population is of Indian origin, including President Irfaan Ali, whose ancestors were transported by the British to the Caribbean as indentured labourers in the 19th century.

Modi will also meet other leaders from the Caribbean Community (Caricom), an intergovernmental organisation comprising 15 Caribbean nations, including Guyana, at a Caricom-India Summit on Thursday. The summit will be co-chaired by Modi and Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell.

According to Caricom, the meeting is expected to “further solidify bilateral cooperation between Caricom and India in energy and infrastructure, agriculture and food security, health and pharmaceuticals, and technology and innovation."

Keeping China At Bay

Apart from energy security and infrastructure build-up, one of India’s major geopolitical challengers, China, has also been vying for influence in the region. China’s growing presence in Guyana has become a major concern for India in the region. Beijing has been strengthening its military, economic, and infrastructure ties with the tiny island nation.

Guyana now holds significant importance due to its vast oil reserves and strategic location. However, as China deepens its influence, India finds itself in a tougher race to build partnerships in the region. This competition has far-reaching effects on regional stability and the balance of power.

Chinese companies have led major projects like the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion and the East Bank Demerara Highway.

Guyana’s rapid economic rise, fuelled by its vast oil reserves, makes it a valuable partner for India, especially in the energy sector. With Guyana set to become one of the world’s top oil producers by the end of the decade, India is eager to secure its share in this booming industry. Companies like the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) are already exploring opportunities in Guyana’s oil and gas fields.

Beyond energy, Guyana’s strategic location offers India a chance to strengthen its presence in the Caribbean—traditionally dominated by the US and Western powers. As Guyana invests in large-scale infrastructure projects, India can contribute through its expertise in technology, renewable energy and defence cooperation. In the first half of November, Brigadier Omar Khan, Chief of Defence Staff of the Guyana Defence Force was on a five-day tour to India to enhance defence cooperation between the two countries. Earlier this year, India delivered two Dornier-228 aircraft to Guyana.

The Diaspora At Work

India and Guyana share a unique bond. Almost 40 per cent of Guyana’s population boasts Indian heritage, descendants of indentured labourers who arrived in the 19th century. The Indian diaspora has profoundly shaped Guyanese society, contributing significantly to its economy and culture, and creating a natural bridge between the two nations. PM Modi’s meeting with members of this community, acknowledging their achievements and contributions, has reinforced this connection.

He even took to X (formerly Twitter), sharing images and highlighting the unwavering link between the diaspora and their ancestral homeland.

However, it is not just Guyana; the rest of the Caribbean is also filled with the Indian diaspora. Indo-Caribbean people comprise the largest ethnic group in Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Suriname. They are the second largest group in Jamaica, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Martinique, and Guadeloupe.

This increases the significance and impact of an Indian Prime Minister visiting the region even more. Additionally, Barbados and the Dominican Republic are also conferring their highest civilian honours on PM Modi.

The visit cements a growing partnership, fuelled by shared history, a vibrant diaspora, and a mutual desire to boost each other on the world stage. While China is lurking in the background, India is making its presence known, showing its seriousness about investing in the region and building long-term relationships. From energy deals to defence pacts, this trip is a clear signal: India is playing a long game in the Caribbean, and Guyana’s a key player. It’s a smart move, tapping into a region with huge potential and strengthening ties with a nation that’s on the cusp of becoming a major global player. This is a win-win for both countries and a sign of India’s growing influence on the world stage.

Source: news18