Dear Editor,
India observed the 77th anniversary of its independence on August 15.
India has significant influence on former colonies of empires, including Guyana and several West Indian territories. India has doled out enormous sums as developmental aid to former colonies like Guyana, Suriname, etc., to build infrastructure and lift the standard of living of their peoples.
India has been increasing its economic, political, and cultural connections with every country, including those in Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
India is an increasingly important player on the world stage; a key driver of global growth, accounting for over 15% of the world’s total economic output.
India has very strong trading ties with many countries, and is also a major source of skilled immigrants, many of whom have invested money in startups and job creation.
India’s independence in 1947 paved the way for dozens of other colonies to achieve theirs: in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, including Guyana. Those colonies had belonged to France, Holland, Belgium, Portugal and Britain.
Former colonies have looked to India (since formation of the Non-Aligned Movement in the 1950s, BRICS, and international organizations) for global leadership on political events and economic development.
India is an increasingly important country, with a growing economy (economic powerhouse), population, and a vast array of human resources in every area imaginable. India is also an agricultural powerhouse, a leader in the production of several commodities.
India has become the fastest-growing major economy over the last decade, and has the world’s largest middle class, which is the size of the middle class of all of Europe combined. Not surprisingly, every developed country and major economy has turned to India for trade treaties or economic cooperation.
India is the most populous country in the world, and its economy is growing rapidly. It has the fifth largest GDP, and is among the world’s top seven most industrialized nations. It also has the largest pool of ‘uncontrolled’ (free to migrate, unlike Chinese skilled personnel) technical labour, including engineers, medical personnel, and ITech specialists, who are prized by foreign multinationals and wooed for settlement abroad.
Moreover, India is a nuclear power, and has a large military force. It has joined the club of space explorers that have been launching satellites, including for commercial purposes. India has launched European, Asian, and American satellites in space. Using its own satellites, India has shared with developing countries information on climate and agricultural challenges.
India is a major destination for students from developing countries like Guyana, and from Africa and Asia, to acquire skill sets. Developed countries are destinations for Indian professionals seeking education and/or work opportunities in technical industries. Even Guyana has recruited some skilled personnel from India in various sectors, including medical, engineering, agriculture, and computer.
India has rendered considerable developmental assistance to Guyana and Caribbean territories. In fact, on a per capita basis, Guyana is the largest recipient of India’s assistance in the West. Indian companies have also invested in Guyana.
As its economy and influence grow, India would play an increasingly important role in the global economy and in shaping global politics. Relations between Guyana and India should therefore be strengthened, especially in trade, energy, medicine, education, infrastructure development, and culture. Closer relations with India would boost Guyana’s GDP and standard of living.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Brazil for the G20 summit in October. Government should consider inviting Modi for a visit; it can serve to strengthen economic ties.
Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram
