India has reiterated its support for Guyana in its ongoing border controversy with neighbouring Venezuela, emphasising respect for the international legal process and the country’s sovereignty.
High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. Amit Telang, confirmed India’s support during an interaction with journalists at his 121, D’Aguiars Park, Houston residence today, but declined to say what support India would give to Guyana in the event of a full-scale attack from Venezuela.
He, however, noted that India, as a close partner of Guyana, remains committed to providing any necessary assistance while maintaining regular dialogue with the Guyanese authorities.
Dr. Telang said India is closely following the developments and maintaining dialogue with the Government of Guyana.
The Guyana–Venezuela border matter is currently under consideration at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the Government of Guyana has already clearly presented its position before the court.
Dr. Telang, during his interaction, referenced the Argyle Declaration, an agreement facilitated by St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves in late 2023, which outlined a set of actions agreed upon by Guyana and Venezuela.
India, he said, urged both countries to adhere strictly to this declaration and avoid any actions that contradict its spirit.
“Our position is that they should strictly abide by that declaration, which is again the position of the Government of Guyana,” Dr. Telang emphasised. “We respect the position of the Government of Guyana. We have always supported Guyana, and we will continue to support Guyana.”
Recently, Venezuela had ramped up aggression against Guyana.
On Thursday, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) reported that armed men in civilian clothing on the Venezuelan shore along the Cuyuni River, between Eteringbang and Makapa, carried out three separate attacks on GDF troops who were conducting riverine patrols. The attacks occurred between May 13–15.
This attack on the GDF follows a similar incident that occurred in February this year, when a group of heavily armed men attacked a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) patrol vessel from Venezuelan territory, injuring six soldiers.
On March 1, a Venezuelan naval vessel entered Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and falsely claimed that several vessels, including an ExxonMobil FPSO, were operating in “disputed international waters.” This incursion was widely condemned by the international community.
The attacks between May 13–15 come days ahead of Venezuela’s purported planned elections in the Essequibo on May 25, a day before Guyana’s Independence celebrations.
Both residents and leaders in the region have confirmed that preparations for no such activity have taken place.
Chief of Defence Brigadier Omar Khan on Thursday warned that any Guyanese participating in those sham elections will be arrested. As for Venezuelans, they will be deported.
Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn had earlier warned that anyone participating in any such activity organised by Venezuela will be charged with treason.
The ICJ this month ordered Venezuela to refrain from conducting or preparing to conduct elections in the territory currently of Essequibo administered by Guyana, pending a final ruling in the case.
Guyana has maintained that the border matter with Venezuela was definitively settled in the 1899 Arbitral Award.
