As Guyana experiences a profound economic transformation sparked by its offshore oil discovery in 2019, India sees vast potential for collaboration in the areas of energy, infrastructure, and more. The two nations, already benefiting from robust economic ties, are exploring new avenues to deepen their partnership.
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anticipated visit to Guyana, Dr Amit Telang, India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Antigua & Barbuda, and St. Kitts & Nevis, discussed the promising trajectory of Indo-Guyanese relations and the vast opportunities in the oil, energy, healthcare, and educational sectors.
Fuelling Economic Growth: India-Guyana Energy Ties
With offshore oil production reshaping Guyana’s economic landscape, the nation is on a fast track to becoming a key global oil producer. Since the commencement of commercial extraction, Guyana’s oil sector has attracted international attention, and India is no exception. Telang observed, “India, being one of the largest and fastest-growing oil consumers globally, sees Guyana as a natural partner.” He noted that as Guyana expands its production capacities and explores new offshore blocks, India is well-positioned to engage in both long-term oil imports and broader sectoral development initiatives.
India’s initial imports from Guyana in 2021-22 reached approximately USD 149 million, marking a significant step in the countries’ energy partnership. However, logistical challenges, such as India’s preference for large crude carriers and the need for additional infrastructure in Guyana, have impacted the volume of imports. Yet, the High Commissioner remains optimistic: “Ongoing projects and new floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels are expected to substantially boost Guyana’s production, which will open further doors for energy cooperation with India.” Indian companies are also engaged in talks with Guyanese counterparts to enhance collaboration across the oil and gas sector, highlighting India’s commitment to building a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership.
Expanding Economic Cooperation Across Sectors
Guyana’s economic transformation is not limited to energy. The country has launched large-scale infrastructure projects, and the healthcare, hospitality, education, and services sectors are also on the rise. According to Telang, these developments signal “numerous opportunities for cooperation,” with Indian businesses showing marked interest in these high-potential areas. The recent 200% increase in economic and commercial inquiries between India and Guyana reflects a strong interest within the business communities of both countries to explore this untapped potential.
India’s bilateral trade with Guyana reached USD 106 million in 2023-24, marking an impressive 60% growth from the previous year. Major exports from India include machinery, pharmaceuticals, and vehicle parts, while Guyana predominantly exports resources like bauxite ores, iron, and steel scrap. This burgeoning trade relationship lays a solid foundation for future cooperation in infrastructure, healthcare, and education, which he highlighted as sectors with significant growth prospects.
“Hospitality, healthcare, and energy will likely emerge as future growth areas,” Telang stated, noting that India’s expertise in infrastructure development aligns well with Guyana’s ambitions for economic modernization. He added that Indian companies are well-positioned to contribute to projects in education and healthcare, further strengthening ties between the two nations.
Collaborative Efforts in Food and Energy Security
The strategic partnership between India and Guyana also extends to food security, a critical issue for both countries. In recent years, India and Guyana have made significant strides in agricultural cooperation, focusing on sustainable practices and resilience. For example, as part of the International Year of Millets, Prime Minister Modi offered millet seeds to Guyana, which yielded a bumper crop. Telang underlined that this initiative was “a major step towards food security for both nations,” exemplifying India’s support for Guyana’s agricultural ambitions.
Guyana, often referred to as the “breadbasket of the Caribbean,” plays a pivotal role in CARICOM’s food security agenda, which aims to reduce the Caribbean region’s food import bill by 25% by 2025. He indicated that India is eager to support Guyana’s leadership in this effort, offering expertise in agro-processing, training, and technology transfer. “Our collaboration could encompass training programs, supply of equipment, and deployment of Indian experts to further bolster agricultural productivity in Guyana and the CARICOM region,” he said.
In the energy sector, beyond oil, India and Guyana are working together on renewable energy projects. Solar energy, biofuels, and other renewable sources are central to this collaboration, with initiatives like the Solar Home Energy (SHE) project already making a positive impact on Guyana’s indigenous communities. Looking ahead, additional solar projects, including one at Chedi Jagan International Airport, are in development, underscoring both countries’ commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
Defence and Security: Strengthening Partnerships
India and Guyana’s defence relationship has deepened in recent years, particularly through India’s delivery of two Dornier aircraft to Guyana under a Defence Line of Credit. Telang noted that this cooperation “is not limited to equipment but also extends to training and capacity building.” Guyanese officials and CARICOM member states have participated in specialized training programs in India, which Telang described as “a testament to the growing trust and mutual respect between our defence establishments.”
Cybersecurity is another area of interest, with India providing training opportunities for Guyanese and CARICOM officials. This cooperation reflects a broader regional approach, ensuring that the Caribbean region benefits from India’s expertise in areas critical to both security and economic growth.
Education and Capacity Building: Empowering Future Generations
Education and training are pillars of India’s partnership with Guyana. Under India’s Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Program, around 100 Guyanese professionals receive training in fields such as technology, agriculture, and media each year. “These exchanges foster skill development and strengthen ties between our countries,” he noted. Additionally, numerous Guyanese students benefit from Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships, pursuing studies in India across disciplines including medicine and paramedical fields.
The Government of Guyana’s GOAL initiative has partnered with Indian universities such as IGNOU and Jain University to offer online courses to Guyanese students in various fields. Efforts are underway to further expand educational cooperation to include Hindi and Sanskrit studies, enhancing cultural understanding alongside technical education.
Opportunities in the Space Sector
While there are no active space collaborations between India and Guyana, he expressed interest in exploring opportunities in this field. “India’s expertise in disaster management, early warning systems, and weather forecasting could greatly benefit Guyana and its CARICOM partners,” he stated, noting the potential for knowledge-sharing and technology transfer in the space sector. This potential cooperation illustrates India’s willingness to support Guyana’s development goals across multiple domains.
Looking Ahead: A Vision for Strategic Cooperation
As India and Guyana strengthen their partnership, the possibilities for collaboration are expanding across energy, agriculture, defence, education, and more. Telang underscored the strategic alignment of the two countries, driven by shared priorities in economic growth and sustainable development. “With the strong foundation we have built, there is immense scope to broaden our cooperation,” he affirmed.