Georgetown

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Indian Arrival Monument at Monument Gardens in Georgetown, Guyana on Thursday.

He was accompanied by PM of Guyana Brig (Retd) Mark Phillips.

An ensemble of Tassa Drums welcomed the Prime Minister as he paid floral tribute at the Arrival Monument.

Paying homage at the monument, the Prime Minister recalled the struggle and sacrifices of the Indian diaspora and their pivotal contribution to preserving and promoting Indian culture and tradition in Guyana.

He planted a Bel Patra (Wood Apple) 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.

Earlier, PM Modi also paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue in the historic Promenade Gardens in Georgetown.

Prime Minister Narendra at India Arrival monument in Georgetown

Modi He recalled Bapu’s eternal values of peace and non-violence which continue to guide humanity. The statue was installed in commemoration of Gandhiji’s 100th birth anniversary in 1969.

PM Modi said that Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals and teachings transcend the country's borders and it shows up in his revered tributes to the Mahatma during his multiple foreign trips.

The reverence for Mahatma Gandhi extends beyond domestic initiatives, finding expression in PM Modi’s diplomatic engagements worldwide.

Addressing the Indian community in Georgetown, Guyana on Thursday (local time), Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the shared bonds between India and Guyana, specifically emphasising culture, cuisine, and cricket.

He said, "Three things, in particular, connect India and Guyana deeply - culture, cuisine and cricket."

He elaborated on the strong connection the two nations share over cricket, saying, "The love for cricket also binds our nations strongly. It is not just a sport but a way of life, deeply embedded in our national identity."

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PM Modi arrived in Guyana on the third leg of his three-nation visit. It is the first visit to Guyana by an Indian Prime Minister in over 50 years.