First Indian Prime Minister to visit in 56 years: PM Modi accorded rare grand welcome by Guyana

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the South American country of Guyana in 56 years, was accorded a grand welcome by the country. President Mohammad Irfan Ali, Prime Minister Mark Anthony Phillips and more than a dozen cabinet ministers came together to welcome Modi on his landing in the capital George Town.

Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome with a guard of honour. He was accompanied by Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley at the Marriott Hotel. People of Indian origin also came to meet Modi. There are about 3,20,000 people of Indian origin in Guyana. Modi said he will never forget the reception in Guyana and thanked the leaders.

Modi arrived in Guyana yesterday morning after attending the G20 summit in Brazil. Prime Minister will return to India today after attending the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit.

Agreements

1. Prime Minister Modi will hold high-level talks with leaders of Caribbean countries
2. Various agreements will be signed
3. Modi will address Guyana Parliament and Indian community

Three honors

Modi will receive the highest civilian awards in three countries on the sidelines of the India-CARICOM summit.

• Guyana - The Order of Excellence
• Barbados - Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados
• Dominica - Dominica Award of Honour

With this, the number of international honours that Modi has received will go up to 19. On Sunday, Modi was presented with Nigeria's national honour, the 'Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger'.