President Irfaan Ali has received praises from the population for the ‘state’ visit of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 19 to 21 during which the PM held bilateral discussions with the Guyana’s President, Vice President, and Prime Minister and staff and offered various forms of assistance to Guyana. President Ali has also received a fillip or bounce in his approval numbers in his handling of the visit of the Indian leader and the leaders of CARICOM in their summit with Shri Modi ji. Guyanese are much appreciative of the Indian PM visiting their country and offering developmental assistance.
As host nation, Guyana is a major beneficiary of the state visit by the PM. The Indian PM announced a number of measures, foreign aid, benefiting CARICOM states. He also announced a number of bilateral agreements with and offered specific assistance for Guyana. He referred to Irfaan as his friend. On the whole, Guyana and the region were on the receiving end with little or virtually no give back to India other than a few national honors. The PM had come to the region hoping for oil or energy agreements, but none was offered. India has offered to purchase Guyana’s oil lifts at prevailing market prices. Guyana sells its oil through third party agents. Guyana and the region will receive loans for development and scholarships and training in a variety of areas as well as non-repayable grants and several other forms of assistance.
Engagements with Guyanese around the nation (as well as in the diaspora) found unanimous approval for President Ali inviting the Indian PM to visit Guyana as well as for his overall handling of the visit and hospitality of Shri Modi. The last Indian PM to visit Guyana was in 1968. Modi is the first leader of a major country and economy to visit Guyana. India is the world’s most populous nation and is also the fifth largest economy.
The country and the diaspora were very excited about the visit. Coverage of the visit was carried live on national TV as well as on social media. Many Guyanese around the nation and in the diaspora tuned in, watching proceedings (ceremonies) at the airport as well as at other locations and shared photos on social media.
Even the usual critics of the President and supporters of the opposition jealously praised his leadership in welcoming Modi and for the hospitality provided to the high-profile visiting dignitary. Indians, both descendants of indentured laborers and recent NRI arrivals, expressed pride that Modi has visited Guyana. The PM was given a grand welcome by both of the diasporas when he visited them at several different sites including one with both groups. The public at large, and the diaspora as well, are very appreciative of the various forms of assistance given to Guyana by India. In England, there were only positive views as Guyanese were grateful that the Indian PM took time to visit their former homeland and doled out a bag of goodies. This was the first time that a visiting head of a country offered so much foreign aid to Guyana.
Besides satisfaction with his handling of the visit, Irfaan’s Presidential approval rating has also soared as a result of the Modi visit, reaching 71 percent end of November. Irfaan has enjoyed high positive approval rating throughout his Presidency, the highest after Cheddi Jagan. Irfaan was inaugurated on August 2, 2020 following a five months period to have the outcome of the March 2, 2020 election declared. He quickly soared to popularity amidst his highest approval ratings during his first year in office. Since then, his poll numbers fluctuated and is on the up again after the Modi visit.
