India offers digital model to regional partners as Guyana, Suriname advance digitisation

India has expressed its willingness to share its successful digital development model with partners in the Caribbean and Latin America, as Guyana and Suriname work to accelerate their own digital transformation.

Speaking during a panel discussion at the International Business Conference (IBC 2025) held recently at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr. Amit Telang, said India’s innovative approach to digital technology has been “tried and tested” and can serve as a blueprint for countries in the region.

“One of the advantages that we have is basically to look at technology adaptation and making it accessible. When we offer many of the solutions to our partners in the Global South—basically not to repeat the same mistakes that we did as part of that process of adaptation of new technology,” he said.

Dr. Telang added that with the expansion of digital payment systems such as the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) and digital infrastructure, many services can now be more easily delivered through digital platforms. “Digital infrastructure is one area, capacity building and skill development—these are some of the areas where we have expertise,” he noted.

The discussion, which focused on advancing digital technology as a driver of trade, infrastructure, education, and healthcare, featured several diplomats including the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Guyana and non-resident Ambassador to Suriname, Jane Miller; High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana and Ambassador to Suriname, Sébastien Sigouin; and Ambassador of Mexico to Guyana, Mauricio Vizcaíno Crespo.

As global investors turn greater attention to the Caribbean, Guyana and Suriname are emerging as twin anchors of a new CARICOM investment corridor linking the Atlantic to Latin America and the wider global economy.

The panel also examined how bilateral agreements, cross-border infrastructure projects such as the Corentyne River Bridge, and multilateral trade frameworks are positioning the region as a more connected and investor-ready bloc.

Emphasising reduced market barriers, improved mobility, and private-sector expansion, the discussion highlighted how diplomacy is enabling development—and how strategic partnerships can convert regional potential into global opportunity.