Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago): Port of Spain exploded with sound, color and emotion as Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Trinidad and Tobago on July 3 for a historic two-day go to. The welcome was greater than ceremonial. It was a full-blown celebration. Conventional drums echoed, dancers swayed to Indian-Caribbean beats and the air pulsed with chants and cheers.
The prime minister stepped out right into a wave of admiration, welcomed not solely by the official delegation however by tons of from the Indian diaspora, many ready for hours at Piarco Worldwide Airport.
He was greeted with a Guard of Honour and a uncommon private reception from Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who was joined by 38 cupboard ministers and 4 Members of Parliament.
Landed in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago. I thank Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, distinguished members of the Cupboard and MPs for the gesture of welcoming me on the airport. This go to will additional cement bilateral ties between our nations. Trying ahead to addressing… pic.twitter.com/lyxxnKKfsR
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 3, 2025
Sharing some glimpses from the welcome at Port of Spain. Might the friendship between India and Trinidad & Tobago proceed to scale new heights within the instances to return! pic.twitter.com/RkAW4pQBKw
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 3, 2025
This marked Modi’s first go to to the Caribbean nation as India’s prime minister and the primary by any Indian PM since 1999.
The ceremonial welcome unfolded like a vivid show of cultural diplomacy. From conventional Trinidadian rhythms to the colourful sounds of Bhojpuri Chautaal, the environment celebrated shared historical past and roots.
Splendid environment on the neighborhood programme in Trinidad & Tobago. https://t.co/qlW5JqaCCl
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 3, 2025
PM Modi stood watching, visibly moved, because the efficiency echoed connections stretching again generations from the sugarcane plantations to right this moment’s cultural festivals. He later shared a video of the efficiency, calling it a “cultural join like no different”.
A cultural join like no different!
Very comfortable to have witnessed a Bhojpuri Chautaal efficiency in Port of Spain. The join between Trinidad & Tobago and India, particularly elements of japanese UP and Bihar is noteworthy. pic.twitter.com/O751WpAJc5
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 3, 2025
In a heartfelt gesture, Trinidad and Tobago conferred upon Modi its highest civilian honour – The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT).
Former Agriculture Secretary Dev Duggal, talking on the sidelines, described the award as “lengthy overdue”. He recalled Modi’s earlier go to in 2003 for the World Hindu Convention, earlier than he turned the prime minister. This time, Duggal stated, the go to carried a brand new weight – one which recognised the stature of India’s chief on the world stage.
The airport welcome was solely the start. Over the following two days, PM Modi will meet President Christine Carla Kangaloo and maintain bilateral talks with Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar to deepen cooperation in areas resembling digital finance, IT, renewable vitality and healthcare. The broader intention is a long-term strategic bridge between India and the Caribbean.
Modi additionally took time to attach with the Indian diaspora, which makes up almost 50% of Trinidad and Tobago’s inhabitants. Many within the crowd on the airport held placards and waved flags. Some broke into spontaneous Bhojpuri songs.
Many individuals from India made their technique to Trinidad & Tobago years in the past. Through the years, they distinguished themselves in a number of fields and are enriching Trinidad & Tobago’s improvement journey. On the identical time, they’ve retained a reference to India and are additionally passionate… pic.twitter.com/qlKVIEjUwh
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 3, 2025
The prime minister spoke to them warmly, praising their achievements in schooling, enterprise, governance and cultural preservation. He highlighted how generations of Indian-origin households had formed the nation’s progress whereas staying rooted in Indian traditions.
Amongst these he met had been three younger winners of the Bharat Ko Janiye (Know India) Quiz – Shankar Ramjattan, Nicholas Maraj and Vince Mahato. Aimed toward strengthening diaspora ties, the quiz had seen huge participation in Trinidad and Tobago. Modi congratulated the winners personally, calling the initiative a bridge between hearts and homelands.
Posting concerning the encounter, Modi referred to as the diaspora’s welcome “unforgettable” and their contribution to Trinidad and Tobago’s improvement “deep and galvanizing”.
He hoped the India-Trinidad bond would “scale new heights within the instances to return”.
Met children Shankar Ramjattan, Nicholas Maraj and Vince Mahato, who’re winners of the Bharat Ko Janiye (Know India) Quiz in Trinidad & Tobago.
This Quiz has generated widespread participation the world over and deepened the join of our diaspora with India. pic.twitter.com/QbRSsYF6VY
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 3, 2025
For Port of Spain, the 2 days changed into a competition. For the Indian diaspora, it felt like a homecoming. And for India, the go to added one other chapter to a rising story of worldwide engagement constructed not solely by treaties, however by custom, folks and presence.
(With ANI inputs)