Georgetown:

India and Guyana signed 10 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the country, covering areas such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and the deployment of UPI in the Caribbean nation.

Key agreements include an MoU on Cooperation in the Hydrocarbons Sector, focusing on joint efforts in crude sourcing, natural gas collaboration, and infrastructure development. This partnership also aims to enhance capacity building and expertise sharing across the hydrocarbon value chain.

An MoU on Bilateral Cooperation in Agriculture and Allied Sectors seeks to foster joint activities and the exchange of scientific materials and expertise to advance agricultural development, according to an official press release from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

To celebrate and preserve cultural heritage, a Cultural Exchange Programme (2024-2027) was signed, emphasising cooperation in theatre, music, fine arts, literature, libraries, and museums.

The health sector also saw significant progress, with agreements including an MoU on the Recognition of Indian Pharmacopoeia Regulation to improve medicine regulation and another to implement the Janaushadhi Scheme (PMBJP) for supplying affordable medicines to CARICOM countries.

In the pharmaceutical and medical sectors, a separate MoU was established to regulate raw materials, biological products, medical devices, and cosmetics, creating a robust framework for dialogue between the two nations.

On the digital front, the INDIA STACK MoU lays the groundwork for collaboration in digital transformation through capacity building, training programmes, and pilot projects. Furthermore, an agreement between NPCI International Payments Ltd and Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs aims to deploy a UPI-like real-time payment system, transforming digital transactions in the region.

Broadcasting cooperation was also highlighted, with an agreement between Prasar Bharati and Guyana’s National Communications Network to exchange programmes in culture, education, science, and sports.

Additionally, a defence-focused MoU between Guyana’s National Defence Institute (NDI) and India’s Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) seeks to enhance education, research, and training in national security and defence studies.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said he is looking forward to “meaningful” discussions at the upcoming G20 summit in Brazil that laid out the broad agenda for the grouping building upon the legacy of India’s presidency of the bloc last year.

Modi made the comments in a statement before embarking on a five-day visit to Nigeria, Brazil and Guyana.

The prime minister’s first destination will be Nigeria from where he will travel to Brazil.

“In Brazil, I will attend the 19th G-20 Summit as a troika member. Last year, India’s successful presidency elevated the G-20 to people’s G-20 and mainstreamed the priorities of the Global South into its agenda,” the prime minister said.

Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden will be among the leaders to attend the summit in Rio de Janeiro on November 18 and 19.

India is part of the G20 troika along with Brazil and South Africa.

“This year, Brazil has built upon India’s legacy. I look forward to meaningful discussions in keeping with our vision of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’. I will also use the opportunity to exchange views on furthering bilateral cooperation with several other leaders,” the prime minister said.

Induction of the 55-nation African Union as a permanent member of the G20 and managing to produce a leaders’ declaration overcoming deep divisions over the Ukraine conflict were seen as major milestones of India’s presidency of the G20 last year.

On his trip to Nigeria, Modi said it will be an opportunity to “build upon our strategic partnership that is based on shared belief in democracy and pluralism”.

The prime minister is travelling to the country on a two-day visit from November 16-17 at the invitation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

This will be my first visit to Nigeria, which is our close partner in the West African region, Modi said.

“I am also eagerly looking forward to meeting the Indian community and friends from Nigeria who have sent me warm welcome messages in Hindi,” he said.

In the third and final leg of his trip, Modi will visit Guyana from November 19 to 21 at the invitation of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali.

It will be the first ever visit of an Indian prime minister to Guyana in over 50 years.

“We will exchange views on giving strategic direction to our unique relationship, which is based on shared heritage, culture and values,” Modi said.

“I will also pay my respects to one of the oldest Indian diaspora, who migrated more than 185 years ago, and engage a fellow democracy, as I address their Parliament,” he said.

Modi also referred to the India-CARICOM summit in Guyana.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is an intergovernmental organisation of 15 member states in the Caribbean region having the primary objective to promote economic integration and cooperation among the members.

“I will also join leaders from the Caribbean partner countries for the second India-CARICOM Summit. We have stood together through thick and thin.

The Summit will enable us to renew historical ties and expand our cooperation into new domains,” Modi said.

Modi also made brief mention of his three-nation visit in a post on X.

“Over the next few days, I will be in Nigeria, Brazil and Guyana. I will have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of programmes, both bilateral and multilateral, which will add momentum to India’s ties with various nations,” he said.

“I will take part in the G20 Summit in Brazil and will meet Caribbean leaders in Guyana. I will also be interacting with the Indian community during this visit,” he added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)