Prime Minister Narendra Modi received an enthusiastic and heartfelt welcome from the Indian diaspora upon his arrival in Port of Spain on Thursday, marking a significant moment in his ongoing five-nation diplomatic tour. This visit, which comes ahead of his historic address to the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago, is aimed at reinforcing the longstanding cultural and strategic relationship between India and the Caribbean nation.
PM Modi expressed his gratitude for the warm reception, stating, “Grateful to the local Indian community for an unforgettable welcome in Port of Spain.” He acknowledged the contributions of the Indian diaspora to Trinidad and Tobago’s development, praising their achievements across various sectors while maintaining strong ties to Indian heritage and culture.
“Their enthusiasm reflected the deep-rooted cultural ties and shared heritage between the two nations,” the Prime Minister’s Office noted on social media platform X.
At Piarco International Airport, Prime Minister Modi was received with full ceremonial honors. Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, dressed in traditional Indian attire, led the welcome alongside 38 ministers and four Members of Parliament. A cultural program featuring portrayals of Indian mythological characters and traditional musical performances added a vibrant flair to the occasion.
Supporters from the Indian diaspora greeted Modi with chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Modi, Modi” as he arrived at his hotel. Bhojpuri Chautaal rhythms and local orchestras created a celebratory atmosphere, highlighting the cultural bridge between the two nations.
This is Modi’s first official bilateral visit to Trinidad and Tobago and the first by an Indian Prime Minister since 1999. During his visit, he will meet with President Christine Carla Kangaloo and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in key areas such as digital transformation, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, renewable energy, education, and disaster resilience.
India and Trinidad and Tobago share a deep historical and cultural connection, dating back 180 years to the arrival of the first Indian immigrants. Today, people of Indian origin constitute approximately 40–45% of the country’s population of 1.36 million.
Speaking ahead of the visit, MEA Secretary (South) Neena Malhotra described it as “especially meaningful,” noting that both the President and Prime Minister of T&T are of Indian origin and proudly refer to themselves as “daughters of India.”
PM Modi’s address to the Joint Session of Parliament, scheduled for Friday, is seen as a symbolic reaffirmation of India’s commitment to democratic values and parliamentary diplomacy. India had previously gifted the Speaker’s chair to the T&T Parliament, a gesture underscoring the shared democratic ethos.
The Prime Minister’s trip to Trinidad and Tobago follows his recent stop in Ghana, where he was conferred the “Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana” and addressed the nation’s Parliament. After this leg of the tour, he is scheduled to travel to Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia.
This visit also reflects India’s growing engagement with the Caribbean, particularly through CARICOM, and builds on Modi’s earlier outreach at the India-CARICOM Summit held in Guyana in 2024. There, he emphasized India’s role as a reliable partner for the Global South and welcomed the adoption of India’s UPI digital payments platform by Caribbean countries.
As Trinidad and Tobago marks 180 years since the arrival of Indian immigrants, Modi’s visit aims to revitalize the people-to-people and strategic ties that have long united the two nations.
