Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar lauded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “transformational force” who has redefined governance in India and elevated the country’s global stature. She announced that PM Modi will be conferred with the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the nation’s highest civilian award, on Friday.
Addressing an Indian community event in Port of Spain during PM Modi’s historic bilateral visit, Persad-Bissessar said, “You are a visionary leader who has modernised India’s economy, empowered over a billion citizens, and instilled pride among Indians worldwide. Your presence is a profound honour to us, especially to the Indo-Trinidadian community, whose roots lie in the same Indian soil from which you emerged.”
Praising the cultural ties between the two nations, she said these were “ties of ancestry, kinship, sacrifice and love” that had endured across time and oceans. She recalled Modi’s first visit to Trinidad in 2002 and reflected on how he returned now as the leader of over 1.4 billion people.
“You were not yet PM when you came here in 2002. Today, you return as one of the world’s most admired leaders. Your commitment to the Indian diaspora and promotion of shared culture has brought us together this evening,” she added.
Quoting a poem from PM Modi’s book Aankh Aa Dhanya Che, she spoke about the struggles and resilience of the early Indian migrants who arrived on the Fatel Razack in 1845. “They left everything behind except their culture, faith, and language. Their endurance became the foundation of our nations.”
She also expressed gratitude for India’s support during the COVID-19 pandemic. “While many countries hoarded supplies, India under your leadership sent vaccines and medicines to the smallest of nations, including Trinidad and Tobago. That was more than diplomacy—it was an act of kinship and love,” she said.
PM Modi, in his address, thanked Persad-Bissessar and called her the “daughter of Bihar,” acknowledging her ancestral roots in Buxar. He presented her with holy water from the Mahakumbh and Sarayu River and requested that it be offered to the Ganga Dhara in Trinidad.
“This is not just a visit—it’s a sacred reunion of hearts, cultures, and heritage,” PM Modi said, reaffirming the deep civilisational connection between India and Trinidad and Tobago.
This visit marks PM Modi’s first to the Caribbean nation as Prime Minister and the first bilateral visit by an Indian PM since 1999. He was received with a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Piarco International Airport, along with a warm welcome from 38 ministers and four MPs of the Caribbean nation.