PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI ON VISIT TO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Trinidad and Tobago on July 3, 2025, on the second leg of his five-nation tour. He was welcomed with a traditional Bhojpuri Chautal (folk song). This is his first visit to the country as prime minister and the first Indian bilateral visit at the prime ministerial level to Trinidad and Tobago since 1999.

 

This historic visit of Prime Minister Modi will further strengthen the cultural, historical, and economic relations between India and Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad and Tobago President Christine Carla Kangalu and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar are both of Indian origin.

The history of Indian immigrants in Trinidad and Tobago dates back 180 years, when the first Indian workers arrived there by sea in 1838. About 45% of the population of Trinidad and Tobago is of Indian origin, whose ancestors came there in the 19th century.

 

This visit of the Prime Minister is not only giving new heights to bilateral relations between India and Trinidad and Tobago, but is also highlighting the role of Indian culture and NRIs on the global stage. Let us tell you that PM Modi is trying to unite the Global South.

 

TIES BETWEEN INDIA AND TRINIDAD

 

 

Calling the ties that bind India and Trinidad as ‘not merely diplomatic in nature’, but ‘ties of ancestry, of kinship, sacrifice and love’, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar welcomed PM Modi. Praising Mr. Modi’s ‘visionary and futuristic initiatives’ in modernising India’s economy, Ms. Kamla said, “You have empowered over a billion citizens. You have instilled pride in the hearts of all Indians all over the world.”

 

 

PM MODI ADDRESSED A COMMUNITY EVENT

 

 

The journey of the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago is one of courage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at a community event at the National Cycling Velodrome, Couva, emphasising that the hardships their ancestors endured could have “broken even the strongest spirits”.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed Ramayana and Lord Shri Ram. He said he was aware of their deep faith in Lord Ram and I am sure that all of you welcomed the return of Ram Lalla to Ayodhya after 500 years... You had sent Holy water and ‘Shila’ for building the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

 

He addressed the people in Bhojpuri style. He recited a couplet from Ramcharit Manas and said in Bhojpuri that 180 years have passed… the mind has not forgotten… Ram's bhajans resonate in every heart…

 

 

PM MODI’s GIFT TO PM of T&T

 

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted holy water of Sangam and Saryu River from Mahakumbh and a replica of Ram Mandir to the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar. The Prime Minister, whose first engagement in the Caribbean nation was with the Indian community, said that it felt completely natural, as “we are part of one family” Trinidad and Tobago has a population of approximately 13 lakh, 45 per cent of whom are of Indian origin.

HIGH-LEVEL TALKS

PM Modi held high-level talks with President Kangalu and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, focusing on enhancing cooperation in areas such as digital public infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, agriculture, and health and disaster management.

 

Trinidad and Tobago is the first country in the CARICOM region to adopt India's flagship UPI platform and its implementation is underway. The visit will be important in promoting bilateral relations in areas such as digital finance, renewable energy, health, and IT.

 

 

SIX AGREEMENTS SIGNED

 

 

The two nations signed six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), the details of which are given below:

 

1. Pharmaceutical standards

2. Quick development projects

3. Cultural exchange

4. Sports promotion

5. Diplomatic training

6. Sharing of official documents and research     

  

These agreements aim to create more jobs, better services, and stronger people-to-people connections between India and Trinidad and Tobago.

 

 

OCI CARDS TO BE GIVEN TO 6th GENERATION OF INDIANS IN T&T:

 

 

"Highlighting that the 6th generation of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago are set to receive their OCI cards, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “We are not just connected by blood or surname, we are connected by belonging. India looks out to you and welcomes you.”

 

Mr. Modi also mentioned that PM Kamla’s ancestors were from Bihar’s Buxar region. “People consider her the daughter of Bihar... Bihar’s heritage is the pride of India and the world... Bihar has shown the way to the world in various fields for centuries. New opportunities will emerge from Bihar in the 21st century also.”

 

 

PM MODI AWARDED TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO's HIGHEST NATIONAL HONOUR

 

 

PM Narendra Modi was awarded the highest national honour of Trinidad and Tobago, 'The Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago'. On this occasion, he thanked the people and the government there. PM Modi said, "I express my heartfelt gratitude to you, your government and people for honouring me. This honour is a symbol of eternal and deep friendship between our two countries. I accept this honour as a shared pride on behalf of 140 crore Indians."

 

 

WHY DID COLUMBUS NAME THIS ISLAND 'TRINIDAD'?

 

 

Trinidad is a Caribbean country, located in the islands of the Caribbean Sea. Caribbean countries are collectively called the 'West Indies'. The distance of Trinidad from India is about 13,822 kilometers. This island was discovered by the famous explorer Christopher Columbus during his third sea expedition in 1498. Columbus named it 'Trinidad', which was inspired by the symbol of Christianity 'Trinity'. He named it after seeing three hills, which reminded him of the Christian trinity. This island is historically important.

 

 

HOW DID INDIANS REACH TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO?

 

 

People of Indian origin arrived in Trinidad and Tobago in the 19th century under the 'Girmitiya System'. Between 1845 and 1917, about 1,43,000 people from the Indian subcontinent were brought to Trinidad for labour.

 

After the abolition of slavery in the British colonies, there was a huge shortage of labourers. Due to this, the British started sending labourers from India under the 'Girmit' scheme. Girmit is derived from the English word 'agreement'. Under this, Indians were given contracts to do farming or labour work for 3–5 years. There was an option to return home later, but most people settled there.

 

Even today, the descendants of indentured labourers mention the state, district, block, and village of their ancestors. The journey of people of Indian origin which started as laborers is today leaving its mark in fields like business, politics, medicine, and education. Perhaps there is no field that is untouched by people of Indian origin.

 

BRIEF HISTORY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

 

 

Trinidad and Tobago is a twin-island country located in the southeastern part of the West Indies. This country is made up of two main islands, Trinidad and Tobago, along with some smaller islands. It is the southernmost of the Caribbean islands and is located near the northern coast of South America.

 

The country gained independence from British colonial rule in 1962 and became a member of the Commonwealth and the United Nations same year. It became a republic in 1976. Its capital, Port of Spain, is located on the northwest coast of Trinidad.

 

Trinidad and Tobago is one of the Caribbean's most prosperous countries, as it has large reserves of oil and gas which are the mainstay of its economy.

 

The twin-island nation is populated primarily by people of African and Indian descent and has a per capita income that is higher than the average for Latin American and Caribbean countries.

 

This visit of the Prime Minister is not only giving new heights to bilateral relations between India and Trinidad and Tobago, but is also highlighting the role of Indian culture and NRIs on the global stage. Let us tell you that PM Modi is trying to unite the Global South.