Is Trinidad Ready to Welcome PM Modi and Strengthen Ties with India?

Port of Spain, July 3 (NationPress) As he departed for Port of Spain from Accra on Thursday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his eagerness to enhance India's relationship with Trinidad and Tobago, a cherished ally in the Caribbean.

"I am heading to Trinidad & Tobago. Later this evening, I will participate in a community program in Port of Spain. Tomorrow, I will address the Parliament of Trinidad & Tobago. I anticipate deepening our ties with a valuable partner in the Caribbean, with whom we share significant cultural connections," PM Modi shared on X after concluding his two-day visit to Ghana.

Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) marks the second destination in the Prime Minister's current five-nation tour, which includes upcoming visits to Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia.

This visit represents PM Modi's inaugural trip to T&T as Prime Minister and the first bilateral visit at the Prime Ministerial level to the country since 1999. During his stay, PM Modi will engage in talks with the President of Trinidad & Tobago, Christine Carla Kangaloo, and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, focusing on enhancing the India-Trinidad & Tobago relationship.

Similar to his visit to Ghana, PM Modi will address a Joint Session of the Parliament of T&T on Friday.

The Prime Minister's visit is poised to invigorate the strong historical, cultural, and interpersonal connections between the two nations.

Kangaloo was the Chief Guest at this year’s Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who recently began her second term, has previously visited India and received the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman award.

Indians first settled in Trinidad and Tobago 180 years ago, and PM Modi's visit is expected to renew the unique bonds of heritage and kinship uniting both nations.

This is also PM Modi's second visit to the Caribbean in just eight months, having previously traveled to Guyana in November 2024, demonstrating the significance India places on its relationship with the Caribbean and reflecting India's growing partnership with CARICOM.

During the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown last November, PM Modi emphasized India's commitment to voicing the concerns of the Global South, which has faced numerous challenges and conflicts in recent years, reaffirming India’s role as a dependable partner to Caribbean nations.

On the sidelines of the Guyana Summit, PM Modi congratulated the former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Keith Rowley on adopting India's flagship UPI Platform and assured continued cooperation in digital transformation.

Both nations are eager to broaden and diversify their cooperation in key emerging sectors such as pharmaceuticals, tertiary healthcare, renewable energy, digital public infrastructure, agriculture, disaster resilience, innovation, technology, and cultural exchanges.

"This visit is timely as Trinidad and Tobago celebrates 180 years since Indian immigrants first arrived in the country in 2025," stated MEA Secretary (South) Neena Malhotra during a special media briefing preceding the Prime Minister's five-nation journey.

Bilateral relations between the two countries are bolstered by a vibrant Indian diaspora, with approximately 40–45 percent of T&T's total population of 1.36 million being of Indian descent. The diaspora, descendants of immigrants who first arrived in 1845, maintains robust cultural and emotional ties to India.

PM Modi's address to the Joint Session of T&T's Parliament symbolizes India's enduring democratic values and the strong ties that bind the two nations.

"The Speaker's chair in Parliament is a gift from India, serving as a symbolic reminder of our shared democratic traditions," noted Secretary Malhotra.

This visit is particularly significant for the President and Prime Minister of T&T, both of Indian heritage, who proudly refer to themselves as "daughters of India".

"The Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago is buzzing with excitement for PM Modi's upcoming visit, with plans for a large diaspora interaction event in the works. During his time there, the PM will engage in high-level discussions with both the President and Prime Minister, covering the full spectrum of our bilateral relations, as well as regional and multilateral issues," added the MEA Secretary.