Indian High Commissioner, Amit Telang on Saturday expressed his country’s support for Guyana in the border controversy with Venezuela.
“Our position is that they [Guyana and Venezuela] should strictly abide with that declaration (the Argyle Declaration) and avoid taking any actions.
“We respect the position of the government Guyana… We have always supported Guyana and will continue to support them,” the High Commissioner told reporters at a press engagement on Saturday.
His statements came as tensions between Guyana and Venezuela escalated recently.
The two countries have grappled with a border controversy for decades. Guyana has taken the case to the ICJ, seeking a final, binding ruling that the Essequibo is its own, affirming the 1899 Arbitral Award that settled the border between the two countries.
Venezuela announced that it intends to hold elections in the Essequibo region, an area internationally recognised as Guyana’s territory and has been under Guyana’s administration for over 100 years. So the Venezuelan election plan, scheduled for May 25, 2025, is seen by Guyana as a direct violation of the Court’s Order and international law.
Earlier this month, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) unanimously reaffirmed provisional measures granted in December 2023 and told Venezuela that it shall refrain from conducting, or preparing to conduct, elections in the Essequibo region.
Guyana’s President, Dr Irfaan Ali expressed confidence that the ICJ is the forum where the voice of international law will be heard and justice will be determined.
The Indian High Commissioner said that any action taken against the Argyle Agreement will not be supported.
“The matter is for consideration in the ICJ and I think the Government of Guyana has already made it clear that they would respect whatever judgement would come from the ICJ.
“Any action which is being taken which is against that declaration is not something that we will support,” he said.
The Argyle Agreement was signed in the presence of regional and international interlocutors, and unequivocally commits Guyana and Venezuela to refrain from escalating any conflict or disagreement arising from the territorial controversy between the two States. This includes refraining from actions that could aggravate tensions or alter the current situation in the disputed territory, pending resolution in accordance with international law.
But despite the order agreement in place, Venezuela continued with attempts to undermine Guyana’s sovereignty.
Should the aggression continue, and Guyana approaches India for support, the India High Commissioner said that the request will be considered.
“We are constantly in touch, we keep talking to the authorities in Government of Guyana and when that type of situation happens and government of Guyana approaches us, yes we will continue to support Guyana,” he said.
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