External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday met Guyana President Irfaan Ali on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda and announced that India would extend a new $500 million Line of Credit to support road, healthcare and defence projects in the Caribbean nation.
The two leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation, including progress made following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Guyana in November 2024, and discussed ways to further strengthen ties.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said, “Delighted to meet with President Dr Irfaan Ali of Guyana. @presidentaligy Reviewed the steady progress in our bilateral cooperation, especially after PM @narendramodi’s visit in 2024. Announced extention of USD 500 mn Line of Credit for roads, health & defence projects.”
India and Guyana also signed three agreements covering the supply and installation of manufacturing projects for micro and small enterprises (MSEs), grant assistance for implementing Quick Impact Projects (QIPs), and cooperation in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including the functioning of a Unified Payments Interface (UPI)-like system in Guyana.
“Signed agreements on supply & installation of MSEs manufacturing projects, grant assistance for implementation of Quick Impact Projects, and cooperation in Digital Public Infrastructure & functioning of a UPI-like System in Guyana,” Jaishankar said in another post on X.
Jaishankar also met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of CHOGM 2026.
He held a separate meeting with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, during which the two leaders discussed strengthening economic cooperation under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and exchanged views on global developments.
“Pleased to meet PM @andyburnham of the United Kingdom on the sidelines of #CHOGM2026. Conveyed PM @narendramodi’s warm wishes. Discussed strengthening our economic partnership in the context of CETA, as well as the global landscape,” Jaishankar posted on X.
