India and Trinidad and Tobago signed six key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on Friday during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit, aimed at enhancing cooperation across a wide range of sectors including infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, development projects, education, culture, and diplomacy.
The agreements were formalised following delegation-level talks between PM Modi and Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in Port of Spain.
Among the MoUs, a key agreement on the Indian Pharmacopoeia seeks to expand access to Indian pharmaceutical products in the Caribbean nation. Another agreement supports Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) under an Indian grant to promote development initiatives.
Further MoUs were signed to enhance cooperation in sports, diplomatic training, and cultural and academic exchange, including the re-establishment of two ICCR Chairs of Hindi and Indian Studies at the University of the West Indies. A separate agreement covers a Programme of Cultural Exchanges for the years 2025–2028.
In a landmark gesture, PM Modi announced that the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card eligibility would now extend to the 6th generation of Indian-origin citizens in Trinidad and Tobago—an increase from the earlier 4th-generation limit—allowing broader diaspora engagement with India.
PM Modi also announced a series of developmental and humanitarian contributions:
- 2,000 laptops gifted to students.
- USD 1 million worth of agro-processing machinery handed over to NAMDEVCO.
- A 50-day Artificial Limb Fitment Camp for 800 beneficiaries.
- 20 Hemodialysis units and 2 sea ambulances for healthcare services.
- Solarisation of the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs headquarters via rooftop photovoltaic panels.
- Extension of the ‘Heal in India’ initiative to provide specialised medical care to Trinidad and Tobago citizens.
To deepen cultural bonds, PM Modi announced a Geeta Mahotsav celebration at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Cooperation in Port of Spain, aligning it with the celebrations in India.
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar praised India’s support, expressing gratitude for the laptops and affirming Trinidad and Tobago’s readiness to adopt India’s UPI system and digital public infrastructure tools such as Aadhaar and DigiLocker to modernise public services.
She further stated that discussions are ongoing with Indian companies to participate in energy projects and reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to joining the India-led Global Biofuels Alliance.
Following the visit, PM Modi departed for Buenos Aires, Argentina, continuing the third leg of his five-nation tour which includes Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia.
