Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his first official visit to Trinidad and Tobago as Prime Minister and the first by an Indian leader since 1999, strengthened India’s emotional and cultural ties with the Caribbean nation, highlighting the shared heritage and resilience of the Indian diaspora while honouring their contributions to Trinidadian society. The visit was marked by PM Modi’s gestures of cultural diplomacy, including the gifting of a Ram Mandir replica and holy water from the Sarayu river, as he praised the Indo-Trinidadian community for preserving traditions and values despite geographical distances.
Celebrating Cultural Bonds with the Diaspora
Addressing the Indian community in Port of Spain, PM Modi emphasised the timeless bonds between India and its diaspora, noting the pride with which the community celebrates Navaratri, Mahashivratri, Janmashtami, and Ram Leela in Trinidad and Tobago. He reflected on his previous visit 25 years ago, observing how the friendship between the two nations had deepened over time. “Banaras, Patna, Kolkata, and Delhi may be cities in India, but they are also names of streets here,” PM Modi noted, celebrating the enduring cultural imprints of India across generations.
He praised the Indian community’s courage and resilience, saying, “They left Ganga and Yamuna behind but carried Ramayana in their hearts. They left their soil but not their soul. They were not just migrants; they were messengers of a timeless civilisation.” He commended the community for maintaining their cultural identity while contributing significantly to Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural, economic, and spiritual landscape.
Honouring Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s Bihar Roots
PM Modi’s address also highlighted the ancestral ties of Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to Bihar, describing her as “Bihar ki Beti” (daughter of Bihar). He shared that Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s ancestors hailed from Buxar, Bihar, and she had visited her ancestral village in 2012, underlining the deep connections shared by many Indo-Trinidadians with India.
Speaking on Bihar’s historic significance, PM Modi said, “Bihar’s heritage is a matter of pride not only for India but for the entire world. Be it democracy, politics, diplomacy, or higher education, centuries ago, Bihar showed the world new directions in many fields.” He expressed confidence that Bihar would continue to inspire and contribute to the 21st-century world, just as it has for centuries.
During his speech, PM Modi also acknowledged the earlier gesture of the Indo-Trinidadian community, who had sent sacred water and ‘shilas’ for the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, and in return, he brought with him a replica of the Ram Mandir and holy water from the Sarayu river, reinforcing the cultural and spiritual ties between the nations.
Welcoming PM Modi, Kamla Persad-Bissessar expressed her honour in receiving the Indian Prime Minister, describing him as a visionary leader and a transformative force in global politics. She praised his governance and India’s rise under his leadership, noting the shared history and future aspirations of India and Trinidad and Tobago.
PM Modi’s visit to Trinidad and Tobago not only marked a significant diplomatic step in strengthening bilateral relations but also highlighted India’s commitment to its diaspora, emphasising shared values, cultural heritage, and people-to-people connections that transcend borders and generations.
