India (Commonwealth Union)_ Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Port of Spain, marking his second stop on a five-nation tour. The trip aims to build on India’s relationship with Trinidad and Tobago through high-level meetings and cultural initiatives.
A warm welcome at the airport
When Modi arrived at Piarco International Airport, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, along with her entire Cabinet of 38 ministers and four members of Parliament, received him with a grand welcome. He was received with full ceremonial honors, including a guard of honor.
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In a remarkable diplomatic gesture, Trinidad and Tobago’s Indian-origin Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar announced that Modi will be awarded the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the country’s highest civilian honour. The award acknowledges his global leadership and dedication to enhance bilateral relations. Later that day, President Christine Carla Kangaloo formally presented the medal to Modi during a ceremony at President’s House in St. Ann’s in the capital. Upon receiving the highest civilian honor, Modi said that it is “a symbol of the deep and enduring friendship between our two countries.”
Expressions of gratitude
PM Modi expressed his gratitude and spoke warmly of the honor’s timeliness, which coincided with the 180th anniversary of the arrival of Indian indentured laborers in the Caribbean. He said the visit marks an important milestone in India-Trinidad and Tobago relations and looks forward to further collaboration. He also thanked Persad-Bissessar, her Cabinet, and Parliament members for the warm reception at the airport and noted that his visit would strengthen bilateral bonds further.
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Connecting with the Indian diaspora
During his visit, Modi addressed over 4,000 people from the Indian diaspora at a lively cultural event. Joined by PM Persad-Bissessar, Cabinet members, and dignitaries, Modi was welcomed with spirited drums, dances, and music showcasing a vibrant blend of Indian and Trinbagonian heritage. He praised the resilience and cultural contributions of the Indian-origin community in Trinidad and Tobago in his speech. He also urged them to deepen their connection to their Indian roots. “You are not just defined by struggle anymore. You are defined by success, service, and values,” he said. With a light-hearted remark, he said, “There must be something magical in the doubles and dal poori because you’ve doubled the success of this great nation.”
Historic OCI Card announcement
A major highlight came when PM Modi announced that Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards will now be available to the sixth generation people of Indian origin in Trinidad and Tobago. The crowd responded with enthusiastic applause. Modi also reaffirmed India’s commitment to preserving the heritage of the Girmitiya community, those indentured laborers, through documentation and regular conferences around the world.
Addressing the joint assembly of parliament
PM Modi delivered a speech at the joint session of Trinidad & Tobago’s Parliament. He spoke of the shared history, culture, and spirit linking the two nations. He reaffirmed India’s policy of prioritizing the Global South, stating that India and its partners will work together to ensure developing nations have a proper voice in global decision-making. Modi referenced India’s G20 presidency, in which it brought issues of the Global South to the forefront. He also condemned terrorism as the “enemy of humanity,” calling for global unity to deny terrorists safe haven. He thanked the members of Parliament for their warm welcome and expressed confidence that the partnership between the two countries would continue to grow.
Celebrating Indian-origin women leaders
During his speech, Modi lauded the substantial participation of women of Indian heritage in Trinidad and Tobago’s Parliament. He noted India’s cultural regard for women, quoting the Skanda Purana, which states that a daughter provides as much delight as 10 boys. He emphasized India’s efforts to empower women across various fields, from space exploration and sports to education, science, enterprise, aviation, and the armed forces.
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UPI Digital Payments now live in Trinidad and Tobago
One of the visit’s most tangible announcements was the rollout of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Trinidad and Tobago. Accordingly, Modi said the UPI will process transactions “faster than West Indies bowling.” He also wished the country on becoming the first in the region to use UPI, which promises faster, more seamless financial transactions.
MoUs and future cooperation
During bilateral discussions, Modi highlighted India’s rapid growth in infrastructure, digital payment systems, space, and innovation. India, already the world’s fastest-growing major economy, is expected to join the top three global economies soon. Furthermore, the leaders witnessed the signing of six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering areas such as pharmacopoeia, Quick Impact Projects, cultural exchange, sports cooperation, diplomatic training, and the establishment of ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) Chairs for Hindi and Indian Studies in Trinidad and Tobago.
Cultural tokens of friendship
In a heart-felt gesture, PM Modi gifted PM Persad-Bissessar a miniature model of India’s Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and the holy waters of the Sarayu River and the Maha Kumbh. The exchange underscored the spiritual and cultural bridges between both nations. The evening concluded with a grand cultural showcase featuring performances from the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Cooperation and local artists. Taking to social media, Modi posted some glimpses of his visit to Trinidad & Tobago. He penned, “Sharing some glimpses from the welcome at Port of Spain. May the friendship between India and Trinidad & Tobago continue to scale new heights in the times to come!”
Historic bonds
The bond between India and Trinidad and Tobago goes back to the mid‑19th century, when nearly 143,000 indentured laborers were sent from the Indian subcontinent to the Caribbean between 1845 and 1917. Most came from regions now part of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in India. Today, people of Indian descent make up around 42 percent of Trinidad and Tobago’s 1.4 million strong population. They are active in almost every sector, from business and law to politics, medicine, and academia. An additional 500 non-resident Indians (NRIs) are also living in the country, primarily working in business and education.
