India helps Guyana build a UPI-like payments system, signs a deal of $500 million credit line

Dr S. Jaishankar meets Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, on the sidelines of the CHOGM in Antigua and Barbuda on Wednesday. Photo: Dr. S. Jaishankar/X

New Delhi/IBNS-CMEDIA: India will extend a new $500 million line of credit to Guyana, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced on Wednesday after meeting Guyanese President Irfaan Ali at the Commonwealth summit in Antigua and Barbuda.

The two sides also signed three agreements, including one on digital public infrastructure and a payments system in Guyana similar to India’s UPI, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

What the credit line will fund

Jaishankar said on X that the credit line is meant for road, health and defence projects.

The ministry’s statement described it more broadly, saying it would support Guyana’s development priorities and infrastructure projects.

It said India has already completed several development projects in Guyana.

The three agreements

The agreements cover manufacturing projects for micro and small enterprises, grant assistance for quick impact projects, and cooperation on digital public infrastructure.

The first agreement covers the supply and installation of manufacturing projects for micro and small enterprises (MSEs).

The second provides grant assistance for the implementation of Quick Impact Projects.

The third covers digital public infrastructure and the functioning of a Unified Payments Interface (UPI)-like system in Guyana.

Talks on wider ties

The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations and ways to deepen cooperation in trade and investment, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, digital technology and capacity building, the ministry said.

Jaishankar said on X that he reviewed “steady progress” in cooperation, especially after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Guyana in 2024.

The ministry said India and Guyana share longstanding ties rooted in history, culture and people-to-people links.

It described both countries as Global South partners and members of the Commonwealth.