Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday arrived in Port of Spain on a historic bilateral visit to Trinidad and Tobago. At Piarco International Airport, Prime Minister Modi was accorded a grand ceremonial welcome, including a guard of honor. During this landmark visit, Prime Minister Modi was warmly received by Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who wore traditional Indian attire for the occasion. She was accompanied by her entire cabinet, comprising 38 members and four Members of Parliament, all of whom were present at the airport to welcome PM Modi.

Prime Minister Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister in 16 years to visit Trinidad and Tobago, marking a major step in strengthening the historic ties between the two nations. He is only the third Indian Prime Minister to visit the country after Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999 and Dr. Manmohan Singh in 2009.

A traditional Bhojpuri Chautaal performance added a vibrant touch, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of India. This marks the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Caribbean nation since 1999, and PM Modi’s first official visit to Trinidad and Tobago.

Throughout his visit to the Caribbean country, Prime Minister Modi referred to his counterpart, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, as “Bihar Ki Beti” (Daughter of Bihar), highlighting her ancestral roots in Buxar, Bihar. Addressing the Indian community in Port of Spain, PM Modi said, “People proudly call her ‘Bihar ki Beti’,” while applauding the deep cultural and emotional ties between the two nations.

As a special gesture, Prime Minister Modi gifted holy water from the Sangam and Saryu rivers collected during the Mahakumbh, along with a replica of the Ram Mandir, to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. In his address to the diaspora, he also highlighted Bihar’s historical and cultural significance and praised the courage and resilience of the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago.

During his stay, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with President Christine Carla Kangaloo and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. The discussions are expected to focus on enhancing cooperation in key areas such as trade, energy, technology, and cultural exchange.

Following his Trinidad and Tobago visit, PM Modi will travel to Argentina from July 4 to 5, followed by Brazil for the 17th BRICS Summit and a state visit. The final leg of his tour will conclude in Namibia.