PM Modi conferred the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honoured with the highest civilian award of Trinidad and Tobago- ‘The Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago’. Both countries also signed six agreements/memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the two countries to strengthen and deepen the bilateral relationship. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Trinidad and Tobago on July 3 and 4, 2025, as part of his five-nation state visit to Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia from July 2 to 9, 2025, in chronological order.

1st foreign leader to receive the award of Trinidad and Tobago

Prime Minister Modi is the first foreign leader to receive ‘The Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago’ award.

• The award was conferred on him by President Christine Carla Kangaloo at a special ceremony at the President’s House in Port of Spain on 4 July 2025.
• PM Modi was chosen for this honour for his exemplary statesmanship, championing the priorities of the Global South (developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America), and his role in strengthening bilateral relationships between the two countries.

Highlights of PM Modi’s visit to Trinidad and Tobago 

PM Modi’s official plane, ’ Air India One’, landed at the Piarco International Airport in Port of Spain on 3rd July 2025.

• He was accorded a traditional welcome and received by the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her Cabinet ministers..
• This was the first State visit of PM Modi to the country.
• After 16 years, an Indian Prime Minister visited Trinidad and Tobago, the last being  Dr Manmohan Singh in November 2009.

Prime Minister's Address to the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago 

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the joint session of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago on 4 July 2024. 
• He is the first Indian Prime Minister to address Trinidad and Tobago’s Parliament.

Six Agreements and MoUs

During his meeting with Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks. They agreed to work together for greater solidarity among the countries of the Global South and to strengthen the India-CARICOM partnership.

Trinidad and Tobago announced that it will join the Coalition of Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and Global Biofuel Alliance, promoted by India.

Six agreements and MoUs were exchanged between the two countries. They are as follows: 

• MoU on Indian Pharmacopoeia
• MoU on Sports
• MoU on Diplomatic Training
• Re-establishment of two Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Chairs of Hindi and Indian Studies at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Trinidad and Tobago.
• India to provide a grant to Trinidad and Tobago for the Implementation of Quick Impact Projects in the country.
• Cultural Exchanges between the two countries for the period 2025-2028.

 Announcements Made by PM Modi for Trinidad and Tobago 

• Upto 6th generation of Indian  Diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago will get the Overseas Indian Card (OCI). Earlier, it was issued up to the 4th generation of the Indian Diaspora.
• Specialised medical treatment to be offered to citizens of Trinidad and Tobago under the  ‘Heal in India’ program.
• India to gift 20 Hemodialysis Units and two (02) Sea ambulances to Trinidad and Tobago 
• Geeta Mahotsav is to be celebrated in Port of Spain concurrently with the Geeta Mahotsav organised in Kurukshetra, Haryana.
• India to train Pandits of Trinidad and Tobago.
• Handing over $1 million worth of agro-processing machinery.
• India to hold an Artificial Limb Fitment Camp for 800 people of Trinidad and Tobago,
• 2000 laptops gifted by India to school students of Trinidad and Tobago

India's Relations with Trinidad and Tobago 

Trinidad and Tobago have a large native Indian population brought by the British colonialists to work as indentured labourers at the sugar plantations.

• The Fatel Razack was the first ship to bring Indians to Trinidad in 1845.
• The country is celebrating the 180th anniversary of the arrival of the Indians.
• Currently, Indians comprise approximately 40 to 45% of Trinidad and Tobago's population.
• Both countries maintain a cordial and friendly relationship, with regular high-level visits taking place.
• Ms Christine Carla Kangaloo, President of Trinidad and Tobago, was the Chief Guest of the 18th Bhartiya Diwas in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, in January 2025.
• Trinidad & Tobago is the first country in the Caribbean region to adopt the UPI platform. 

About Trinidad and Tobago 

It is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea and is part of the West Indies.

It consists of two major islands, Trinidad and Tobago and a few small islands.

It became independent from Britain in 1962.

Capital - Port of Spain, located on Trinidad Island.

Currency - Trinidad and Tobago dollar

Prime Minister -  Mrs Kamala Persad-Bissessar

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