Guyana’s Prime Minister Mark Anthony Phillips and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday extended strong support for India’s stance against terrorism during a meeting with an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in Berbice.
The visit comes in the wake of India’s Operation Sindoor and the terror attack in Pahalgam. Both leaders condemned terrorism unequivocally, reaffirming Guyana’s long-standing ties with India.
“There is a very good relationship between India and Guyana. Forty per cent of Guyana’s population is of Indian origin, and we share a relationship that spans over 150 years,” said Phillips. “Guyana condemns all acts of terrorism. We believe in peaceful coexistence and the observance of the rule of law.”
He also welcomed Indian investments and stressed the importance of people-to-people contact in deepening bilateral ties.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo echoed Phillips’ sentiments during his meeting with the delegation.
“Guyana stands unequivocally with India. We are against terrorism in all its forms and believe perpetrators must be brought to justice,” Jagdeo said, adding that Guyana is keen to explore development collaborations with India in areas such as infrastructure, fintech, and agriculture.
In a post on X, Shashi Tharoor noted that the delegation’s talks with Jagdeo extended beyond terrorism to encompass Guyana’s economic growth, development plans following the discovery of oil and gas, and the vast opportunities available to Indian companies.
“Our conversation also spanned a range of topics relating to Guyana’s record-breaking 30% annual economic growth and development plans following the discovery of oil and gas. A large number of opportunities for Indian companies were mentioned, in sectors ranging from agriculture to telecoms, banking and highway development. Guyana is also experiencing labour shortages and would welcome Indian labour as well,” Tharoor wrote.
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, also part of the delegation, highlighted the strengthening economic engagement between India and Guyana, especially in infrastructure and energy sectors.
“Many Indian companies are working in Guyana, employing thousands. We also met with representatives of many spiritual organisations like the Art Of Living, ISKCON and the Bramhakumaris. They serve as the spiritual and cultural anchor for the Indian community here,” Surya wrote on X.
“Our delegation met with the Vice President of Guyana H.E. Bharrat Jagdeo and spoke to him on a wide range of issues, including India’s fight against terrorism. Mr. Jagdeo has served for 12 years as the President of Guyana and is one of the most respected leaders of the country. He was unequivocal in his condemnation of the Pahalgam attack and fully supported Operation Sindoor. VP also conveyed his keen interest in collaboration with India on key development projects in areas of infrastructure, energy, fin tech and agriculture. With Guyana finding new oil reserves and growing at a rapid pace of 30%, the opportunities for Indian businesses are immense,” he added.
The all-party delegation includes MPs from across the political spectrum: Shambhavi Chaudhary (Lok Janshakti Party), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), G M Harish Balayogi (Telugu Desam Party), Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar K Lata (BJP), Mallikarjun Devda (Shiv Sena), and Taranjit Singh Sandhu, former Indian Ambassador to the U.S.
The MPs also engaged with the Indian diaspora in Guyana, who voiced strong support for India’s efforts to counter cross-border terrorism and commended the government’s response.
(With inputs from agencies)