PM Modi Hails Indian Community’s Inspiring Journey During Trinidad and Tobago Visit

PM Modi Hails Indian Community’s Inspiring Journey: The journey of the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago is one of courage, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding that the hardships their ancestors faced could have “broken even the strongest of spirits”.

PM Modi was given a ceremonial welcome upon his arrival at the Piarco International Airport. 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.

During the visit, PM Modi will meet President Christine Carla Kangaloo and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and discuss ways to take the bilateral relationship forward.

He arrived in Trinidad and Tobago on July 3-4 and will then visit Argentina. The last stop in his tour will be Namibia where he will pay tributes to Namibian decolonisation icon Sam Nujoma who passed away on February 8.

The prime minister’s first engagement in the Caribbean nation was with the Indian community and said it felt natural as “we are one family” Trinidad and Tobago has a population of approximately 13 lakh, 45 per cent of whom are of Indian origin.

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"The journey of the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago is about courage. The circumstances your ancestors faced could have broken even the strongest of spirits. But they faced hardships with hope. They met problems with persistence," he said.

"They left the Ganga and Yamuna behind but carried the Ramayana in their hearts," he said, calling them messengers of a "timeless civilisation".

"The community programme in Port of Spain was spectacular. The energy and warmth of the people made it truly unforgettable. Evidently, our cultural bonds shine brightly!" he said in an X post.

In his address, the prime minister said the Indian community’s contribution has benefited Trinidad and Tobago “culturally, economically and spiritually”. Citing Indian-origin figures in the country including Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and President Christine Carla Kangaloo, he said the descendants of Girmitiyas are no longer defined by struggle but by their “success, service and values”.

Girmitiyas were indentured labourers from British India who were transported to work on plantations in Fiji, South Africa, Eastern Africa (Mauritius, Seychelles, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda), Malaysia, Singapore and the Caribbean as part of the Indian indenture system.

He said work is on to create a comprehensive database of the Girmitiya community across the world.

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PM Modi said that between the past and the present, the friendship between the two nations has "grown even stronger".

"Our bonds go well beyond geography and generations," Prime Minister Modi said.

"The Indian community is our pride. As I have often said, each one of you is a Rashtradoot an Ambassador of India's values, culture and heritage," he said.

PM Modi said that India is the fastest-growing major economy in the world. "Soon we will be among the top three economies of the world." "As we grow, we are ensuring that it is of mutual benefit to the world. Today's India is a land of opportunities," he said, adding that "India has a lot to offer".

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar, who addressed the community before PM Modi, said the Indian leader will be conferred on Friday with ‘The Order of Trinidad and Tobago’, the Caribbean nation’s highest honour.

PM Modi, who is here on a five-nation tour, will meet the top leadership of Trinidad and Tobago to take the bilateral relations forward. He was received by PM Persad-Bissessar at Piarco International Airport, where he was given a ceremonial welcome and a guard of honour.

PM Modi will also address a Joint Sitting of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago.

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