India’s Jan Aushadhi Kendra Goes Global: PM Modi Announces Setting Up of Pharma Centres in Guyana

Georgetown: Prime Minister Narendra Modi , on Wednesday, announced that India’s pharmaceutical products initiative ‘Jan Aushadhi Kendra’ will be set up in Guyana in the next few months. PM Modi made the announcement during a joint press address along with Guyana President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali in Georgetown after holding a bilateral meeting. The Indian prime minister was visiting Guyana as part of his three-nation visit on Wednesday after Nigeria, Brazil and Guyana. Notably, this is the first time in 56 years that an Indian Prime Minister visited Guyana marking a significant importance of the visit.

Addressing a joint press conference, Prime Minister Modi said, “India is an important source for Guyana for pharmaceutical products. We will work on increasing pharma exports as well as setting up a Jan Aushadhi Centre in Guyana.” 

He further said, “With the millet seeds provided by India last year, we were able to contribute to increasing the food security of Guyana as well as the entire region. Similarly, we will also cooperate in increasing the cultivation of rice milling, sugarcane, corn, soya and other crops. I am happy that Guyana is associated with initiatives taken by India such as the International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and Global Biofuel Alliance. This will enable us to strengthen efforts towards moving towards a green and sustainable future across the world.”

Talking to reporters, Prime Minister Modi termed his visit -- first by an Indian PM to Guyana -- as a "significant milestone" for the ties between the two countries. Expressing gratitude to Guyana's President Irfaan Ali for the warm welcome, PM Modi acknowledged his personal connection to Guyana, having visited 24 years ago as a regular citizen. He also thanked President Irfaan Ali of Guyana, saying, “I thank President Dr Irfaan Ali for the grand welcome. It is a significant milestone that an Indian PM has come here after 56 years. I have a personal connection with Guyana. 24 years ago, I had the opportunity to come here as an ordinary citizen. Today, I am fortunate to come here as a Prime Minister."

He added, "President Irfaan Ali has a special relationship with India. He attended the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas last year. His visit inspired us to take our cooperation to a new level." 

PM Modi further said that India and Guyana reaffirmed their commitment to resolving issues through "dialogue and diplomacy," and recognising the importance of reforming global institutions to address the complexities of today's world. He added that both countries also underscored their shared priority of climate justice, pledging to continue striving for progress in all areas. "India and Guyana agree that dialogue and diplomacy should be used to resolve all issues. We are united in our belief that reforming global institutions is essential in today's world. Climate justice is a shared priority for both nations, and we will continue to strive for progress in all areas," he said. 

"Our relations were established by those who arrived from India here, in Guyana, 180 years ago. Today, the Indian community plays a significant role in the development of Guyana," PM Modi added. 

Earlier, PM Modi and Guyana President Ali witnessed the exchange of MoUs between India and Guyana. He also held delegation-level talks in Guyana's capital, Georgetown.