Georgetown/New Delhi, Nov 22 (Represesntative) Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the National Assembly of the Parliament of Guyana today, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to do so. A special session of the Parliament was convened by the Guyanese Speaker Manzoor Nadir for the address, a statement said. In his address, Prime Minister Modi recalled the longstanding historical ties between India and Guyana. He thanked the Guyanese people for the highest Honor of the country bestowed on him. He noted that in spite of the geographical distance between India and Guyana, shared heritage and democracy brought the two nations close together. Underlining the shared democratic ethos and common human-centric approach of the two countries, he noted that these values helped them to progress on an inclusive path.Prime Minister Modi noted that India’s mantra of ‘Humanity First’ inspires it to amplify the voice of the Global South, including at the recent G-20 Summit in Brazil.India, he further noted, wants to serve humanity as VIshwabandhu, a friend to the world, and this seminal thought has shaped its approach towards the global community where it gives equal importance to all nations-big or small.Prime Minister Modi called for giving primacy to women-led development to bring greater global progress and prosperity. He urged for greater exchanges between the two countries in the field of education and innovation so that the potential of the youth could be fully realized. Conveying India’s steadfast support to the Caribbean region, he thanked President Ali for hosting the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit. Underscoring India’s deep commitment to further strengthening India-Guyana historical ties, he stated that Guyana could become the bridge of opportunities between India and the Latin American continent.
He concluded his address by quoting the great son of Guyana Chhedi Jagan who had said, “We have to learn from the past and improve our present and prepare a strong foundation for the future.” He invited Guyanese Parliamentarians to visit India.Separately, Prime Minister Modi also paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue in the historic Promenade Gardens in Georgetown. The statue was installed in commemoration of Gandhi’s 100th birth anniversary in 1969.Prime Minister also paid floral tribute at the Arya Samaj monument located close by. This monument was unveiled in 2011 in commemoration of 100 years of the Arya Samaj movement in Guyana.Prime Minister Modi also visited the Indian Arrival monument at Monument Gardens in Georgetown today. He was accompanied by PM of Guyana Brig (Retd) Mark Phillips.An ensemble of Tassa Drums welcomed Prime Minister as he paid floral tribute at the Arrival Monument. Paying homage at the monument, Prime Minister recalled the struggle and sacrifices of Indian diaspora and their pivotal contribution to preserving and promoting Indian culture and tradition in Guyana. He planted a Bel Patra sapling at the monument. The monument is a replica of the first ship which arrived in Guyana in 1838 bringing indentured migrants from India. It was gifted by India to the people of Guyana in 1991. The MEA spokesperson posted on X: “PM @narendramodi addressed the special session of the National Assembly of the Parliament of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana today. He is the first Indian leader to do so. “PM thanked Guyana and the people of Guyana for the honour bestowed on him. PM underscored the salience of India-Guyana shared histories, democratic traditions, pluralism in fostering closer ties. He talked about India’s core values of Vishwabandhu, a friend to the world, & its human centric approach.”