In a major announcement during his first official visit to Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards will now be granted to Indian-origin individuals up to the sixth generation, expanding the scope of eligibility for the diaspora community in the Caribbean nation.
Speaking to an enthusiastic gathering of the Indian diaspora in Port of Spain, PM Modi emphasized the emotional and cultural depth of India’s bond with its overseas community. “We aren’t just connected by blood or surnames. You are connected by belonging. India welcomes, and India embraces you!” he said, drawing applause.
Encouraging the Indian-origin community to strengthen ties with their ancestral homeland, PM Modi said, “Visit the villages of your ancestors. Walk the soil they walked on. Bring your children, your neighbours—anyone who loves ‘chai’ and a good story. We will welcome you with open arms, warm hearts, and jalebi.”
In another milestone, PM Modi congratulated Trinidad and Tobago for becoming the first country in the region to adopt India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI). “Sending money will now be as easy as sending a Good Morning message—faster than a West Indies bouncer,” he quipped.
Highlighting India’s rapid economic ascent, Modi noted, “India is the fastest-growing major economy. Soon, we will be among the world’s top three economies. More than 250 million people have been lifted out of extreme poverty in the last decade alone.”
He also touched on India’s achievements in space exploration, including Chandrayaan-3, the Axiom-4 mission, and the upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight program. “An Indian astronaut is currently aboard the International Space Station. Soon, we will send an Indian to walk on the Moon and launch our own space station,” he said. “For New India, even the sky is not the limit.”
This historic visit marks the first bilateral trip by an Indian Prime Minister to Trinidad and Tobago since 1999. PM Modi was invited by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who also shares ancestral roots in Bihar, India.