The distance between India and Guyana are more than 14,600 kilometerss. One is located in Asia and the other in South America. The first is the most populous country in the world with more than 1.4 billion inhabitants. The second, on the contrary, is one of the least populated countries in the world (around 800,000 inhabitants). However, the two countries have much more to do with each other than it seems at first glance. It is precisely this nexus which has been trying for some time to take advantage of India to reach a long-term contract which gives it a certain preference in monopolizing the most precious treasure of little Guyana: oil.
Guyana has become a real star of the oil markets. Its production boom in a short time transformed this once small country border with Venezuela, Brazil and Suriname in one of the major producers of new oil. In 2019, Guyana produced zero barrels of crude oil. In 2024, it will pump more than 640,000 barrels per day, or nearly one barrel per inhabitant. This has not gone unnoticed by countries hungry for crude oil (the big importers), like India, which, after decades without officially visiting Guyana, is now trying to strengthen its ties to reach a source of oil reliable. India is one of the world’s largest importers of crude oil, leading the country to intensively research and diversify its oil sources. The most populous country in the world imports nearly five million barrels every day.
To strengthen these links and try to obtain a preferential contract (which they have been trying to do since the beginning of the year), Narendra Modi, Indian Prime Minister, has been visiting Guyana for two days this week to meet Mohamed Irfaan Ali, president of the Caribbean country. Modi admitted that this was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Guyana in 56 years, a significant milestone in bilateral relations between the two countries. Modi sought to soften the hearts of Guyanese and their authorities during a press conference, saying: “I came here as an ordinary citizen 24 years ago and during this visit, I gained insight into the history and depth of relations between India and Guyana.. It is a chance for me to come back here as Prime Minister. During today’s meeting, we identified several new initiatives to strengthen our cooperation. We will make continuous efforts to expand our cooperation, including trade and economic cooperation. » What brought the Prime Minister of one of the world’s greatest powers to an “insignificant” country? preferential contract for oil in Guyana? What was Modi doing 24 years ago visiting Guyana as a private citizen?
The curious link: it’s the same city
Well, the relationship or connection between the two countries is this: Guyana is a “Little India” in South America. The population of Guyana is very diverse, but Indians predominate: 39.8% of the population is of Indian origin.30% are of African descent, 19.9% are multiracial, 10.5% are Native American and 0.5% are of other origins, mostly Chinese and white (including Dutch, Portuguese and English). In the middle of all this amalgamation of ethnic groups, the official language is English. Overall, it seems logical that the religious distribution of Guyanese is dominated by Hindus, who make up 28.4% of the believing population. Pentecostals (an evangelical movement) represent 16.9%, Roman Catholics 8.1%, Muslims 7.2% and Anglicans 6.9%… other Christian denominations 20.5%.
Thus, the Indo-Guyanese constitute the largest ethnic group in the country and represent approximately two-fifths of the population. Why are there so many Indians in Guyana? The ancestors of today’s Indo-Guyanese arrived primarily as indentured laborers from India to replace Africans in plantation work during the colonial era. Afro-Guyanese (Guyanese of African origin) left the plantations en masse after their complete emancipation in 1838 to become independent farmers or city dwellers. So the British started bringing in Indian citizens (India was also a British colony) to replace the Africans.
Although the situation has changed a lot and the country is much richer since the beginning of oil production, today Indo-Guyans still constitute the base (the labor force) of the large plantations and many are farmers and independent landowners, although it is also worth it. noting that they have performed well in commerce and are well represented among all professions.
Since a young age, Narendra Modi has studied Indian culture in all its spheres. It was this curiosity that led him to travel to Guyana in 2000 to study and contemplate first-hand the cultural ties between the two nations, separated by thousands of miles, but united by religion and ethnicity.
Guyana refuses to deliver its oil
Even so, Guyana has not wanted to enter into any contracts beyond what has already been agreed (Guyana already sells some of its crude oil to India), even though it has created a sort of framework for deepen future relationships. The two countries signed bilateral agreements also covering the health, finance, agriculture, energy and technology sectors. “We also discussed collaboration in the areas of infrastructure, education, human capital development and the continued diversification of our economies,” added the Guyanese president.
For his part, Modi assured that Over the years, India has contributed to the socio-economic development of Guyana. and, by extension, the region in general. He stressed that given the new opportunities in the energy sector, due to Guyana’s significant oil reserves, the two countries can “move forward together as natural partners.” “Guyana will play an important role in India’s energy security and in this regard, we will create a roadmap for a long-term partnership,” he stressed.
Modi also said he was happy that Guyana had joined initiatives launched by his country, such as the International Solar Alliance and the Disaster Resilience and Infrastructure Coalition. “These walls help strengthen efforts around the world to move towards a green and sustainable future,” he said. Despite all efforts to deceive Guyana, Modi ultimately returns to India without the deal he wanted and has been waiting for since the beginning of the year, according to S&P Global.
