PM Modi, the first Indian leader to address Trinidad & Tobago’s Parliament, spoke at the Red House amid repeated applause.
He thanked Prime Minister Kamla Persad‑Bissessar, Senate President Wade Mark, and Speaker Jagdeo Singh for the invitation and said he felt humbled to stand before the ‘iconic’ chamber.
PM Modi praised both nations’ rise as democracies and congratulated Persad-Bissessar on her second term.
He called the Speaker’s chair inscription a symbol of lasting India–T&T friendship.
Calling women ‘living symbols’ of bilateral ties, Prime Minister Modi lauded the country’s two highest officeholders, President Christine Kangaloo and Prime Minister Persad‑Bissessar, both of Indian origin.
He cited India’s recent 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures and described an “era of women‑led development” in both nations.
PM Modi highlighted 180 years of cultural fusion—“Bhojpuri met Creole, dal puri met doubles, tabla met the steel pan.”
He applauded the diaspora’s contributions across politics, sport, and the arts.
PM Modi welcomed T&T’s move to recognise Indian medical standards and adopt UPI, noting, “Even mango sellers in India use QR codes.”
He offered collaboration in AI, agriculture, and an artificial‑limb camp, stressing that India will follow Trinidad & Tobago’s priorities.
PM Modi pledged to boost Indian investment in T&T and expand partnerships in training and development.
He linked bilateral growth to wider plans for closer India‑CARICOM cooperation.
Positioning both countries as advocates for developing nations, PM Modi urged UN reform and climate justice.
He cited India’s vaccine diplomacy and called Trinidad and Tobago a key partner in giving the Global South ‘its rightful seat at the right table’.
PM Modi called terrorism ‘the enemy of humanity’ and thanked T&T for backing India’s fight against it.
He urged both nations to deny extremists any ‘shelter or space’.
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