Trinidad & Tobago PM Says ‘We Bow To You, Sir’ In Tribute To PM Modi

Trinidad and Tobago will confer Prime Minister Narendra Modi with its highest civilian honour, the Order of the Republic.

The announcement came from Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamala Persad Bissessar during her warm address to Prime Minister Modi, praising his remarkable leadership and the strong bonds between India and the Indian diaspora in the region.

A moment of pride & shared history

In her speech, PM Kamala Persad Bissessar expressed deep respect for the Indian Prime Minister, calling his visit ‘a moment of pride and shared history’.

She said, “We are graced by a leader whose visit is not just a matter of protocol but a profound honour for us. I am deeply privileged to welcome one of the world’s most respected, most admired visionary leaders, Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India.”

She lauded PM Modi as ‘a transformational force’ who has reshaped India’s governance, positioning the country as a dominant global power.

“Through your visionary and futuristic initiatives, you have modernised the Indian economy, empowered over a billion citizens, and above all, instilled pride into the hearts of Indians worldwide,” she remarked.

Recalling PM Modi’s first visit to Trinidad and Tobago in 2002, before he became Prime Minister, she described him then as ‘a cultural ambassador’.

Today, she noted, “You return as the head of government of more than 1.4 billion people—a distinguished and celebrated leader whose influence transcends boundaries. We bow to you, Sir.”

PM Kamala Persad Bissessar highlighted PM Modi’s unwavering commitment to the Indian diaspora and efforts to preserve their shared heritage and culture.

She also praised India’s critical assistance to the Caribbean during the COVID-19 pandemic through its global vaccine initiative.

“Under your leadership, India extended its hand to the world, never more so than through your compassion with the Vaccine Initiative four years ago,” she said. “You ensured vaccines and supplies reached even the smallest nations, including Trinidad and Tobago. This was more than diplomacy—this was kinship, shared humanity, and love.”

A growing list of honours

The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago adds to a growing collection of awards PM Modi has received during his current Caribbean tour.

Earlier, Barbados, Guyana, and Dominica bestowed their highest national honours upon him.

Guyana and Dominica recognised PM Modi for his exceptional leadership during the pandemic and his role in strengthening bilateral relations with these Caribbean nations.

This recognition highlights the deepening ties between India and the Caribbean region, anchored in shared history, culture, and mutual support.

PM Modi’s honours reflect both his visionary governance and the warm embrace of the Indian diaspora abroad, underscoring a new chapter in India-Caribbean relations.

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