By Khabar Rojana 
PM Narendra Modi Arrives in Trinidad & Tobago on Landmark Two‑Day Visit
Port of Spain / New Delhi, July 4, 2025 –
Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Trinidad and Tobago on July 3, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister since 1999 and the second leg of his eight-day, five-nation tour spanning Africa and the Americas .
A Warm and Grand Reception
Upon arrival at Piarco International Airport, PM Modi received a ceremonial Guard of Honour and was greeted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad‑Bissessar along with her full cabinet—many dressed in Indian attire—to reflect the strong cultural affinities between the two nations . The airport also featured a traditional Bhojpuri Chautaal performance, which Modi described on X as echoing the shared heritage between India and the Indo-Trinidadian community .
Cultural Bridges and Diaspora Bonding
Addressing the Indian community in Port of Spain, PM Modi highlighted ancestral ties, referring to the prime minister’s counterpart as “Bihar ki Beti“—a nod to her roots from Buxar in Bihar—and praised the diaspora for preserving Indian language, culture, and values . He brought sacred items like a replica of Ram Mandir and holy water from the Sangam, further cementing the emotional connection .
Modi also met young winners of the Bharat Ko Janiye (Know India) quiz—Shankar Ramjattan, Nicholas Maraj, and Vince Mahato—emphasizing the importance of diaspora youth in shaping bilateral ties .
Official Engagements and Strategic Dialogue
During the two-day state visit, Modi was scheduled to:
Engage in high-level talks with President Christine Kangaloo and PM Persad‑Bissessar.
Address a joint session of Trinidad and Tobago’s Parliament on July 4 youtube.com+15apnews.com+15timesunion.com+15.
Sign multiple MoUs covering cooperation in energy, health, security, digital technology, and cultural exchange
Receive the prestigious Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago (ORTT) as a tribute to India-T&T relations .
This marks the first-ever ORTT presentation to an Indian leader, underscoring the significance of the visit .
Voices from the Community
The visit received substantial support from the Indo‑Trinidadian Hindu community. As Dr Devant Maharaj remarked,
“For Indo-Trinidadian Hindus, Modi’s India feels like a karmic realignment—a mother remembering her children…”.
However, some dissent was noted. The Anjuman Sunnat‑ul‑Jamaat Association (ASJA) expressed concerns, stating that Modi’s administration “has emboldened religious intolerance and targeted the Muslim community,” recalling issues like the 2002 Gujarat riots and the revocation of Kashmir’s special status .
A Wider Diplomatic Mission
Modi’s Trinidad visit kicks off the Caribbean leg of an extensive tour including Ghana (where he accepted a high national honour), Argentina, Brazil (for the 17th BRICS Summit), and Namibia . Scheduled from July 2–9, this tour aims to enhance India’s ties across emerging markets and strengthen its “Global South” diplomacy
Watch the Historic Welcome