Vedan Choolun applauds India- Guyana partnership on oil, security, and agriculture.
Guyana President Irfaan Ali said the country has named its representatives members of a high-level joint Working Group with India in upgrading Guyana’s police and military forces andinvesting in the agriculture sector. India is a long-term buyer of crude oil from Guyana, strategically located in the South American continent.
President Ali has invited the Indian Government to collaborate with Guyana in the field of exploration and production of oil. He also encouraged the Indian private sector to participate in the bidding process for 14 oil blocks offshore in Guyana. Guyana has sold some of its oil shares to India extracted from Stabroek Block and the countrywants a long-term agreement. President Ali said that "India had expressed a strong interest in being a long-term purchaser of Guyana's oil share and they are soon going to send the proposal on that". During President Ali’s visit to India, he discussed Guyana’s trade and education with the high officials of India
. In addition, the Indian Government will send a special team for housing and urban planning to assist in the development of a new town, Silica city.Bharrat Jagdeo, Vice President is to lead a high-level delegation to India in February to follow up on the work that has been laid by the President during his January visit to India. “India has promised to send a team of technical experts to train the people of Guyana in horticulture. India is also keen on providing technology to support the production of rice, sugar, and dairy products to improve efficiency, yield, and profitability”, Guyana’s President said.
Guyana will also benefit from India's Bio-Innovation Centre in the field of biotechnology for agriculture, food and nutrition, and the environment. Vedan Choolun applauds steps taken by Indian Government to support Guyana and to build a long-term strategic partnership. “India has always been a trusted partner for many smaller countries worldwide. During Covid, India sent free of charge thousands of doses of vaccines to over 70 countries around the world, including Guyana. Although India is aiming to become a $5 trillion USD economy soon nevertheless, at the same time, India takes care of and supports financially other nations and their people. Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal are the best example. By becoming a $5 trillion economy, India will be richer than UK and France put together.Â
I hope Guyana will march towards the advancement of bio-innovation and other important sectors with the guidance and support from India”, says Vedan Choolun.