Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a large gathering of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago during his official visit, coinciding with the country’s 180th anniversary of the first arrival of Indian immigrants. The event was marked by a vibrant cultural reception and notable attendance, including Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, her cabinet, members of parliament, and several dignitaries.
During the programme, Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced that Trinidad and Tobago would confer its highest national honour, the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, on Narendra Modi. Modi expressed his heartfelt gratitude to her and the people of Trinidad and Tobago for this recognition.
In his address, Modi thanked Persad-Bissessar for her role in strengthening bilateral ties and emphasised the historical significance of his visit during such an important anniversary for the Indo-Trinidadian community. He praised the Indian diaspora for its courage, resilience, and contribution to the cultural and social fabric of Trinidad and Tobago. Acknowledging their continued preservation of Indian heritage, Modi announced that Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards would now be issued up to the sixth generation of people of Indian origin in the country, a gesture that was met with enthusiastic applause.
Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to support initiatives that honour and protect the Girmitiya legacy and referenced previous announcements made at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in this regard. Highlighting India’s development trajectory, Modi detailed the country’s advancements over the past decade across sectors such as infrastructure, digital technology, manufacturing, green energy, innovation, and space exploration. He noted that over 250 million Indians had been lifted out of extreme poverty and reiterated India’s imminent position as one of the top three global economies.
Emphasising India’s leadership in emerging technologies, Modi pointed to national missions on artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, and quantum computing as new engines of growth. He also expressed hope for the successful adoption of India’s UPI digital payment system in Trinidad and Tobago, drawing from its widespread usage and effectiveness within India.
Reflecting on India’s civilisational ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family—Modi recalled India’s spirit of global solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic and pledged continued support to Trinidad and Tobago in its journey of progress and nation-building.
The address was accompanied by a cultural programme performed by artists from the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Cooperation and affiliated organisations. Over 4,000 people attended the event, which was marked by traditional Indo-Trinidadian festivities and expressions of unity between the two nations.
