PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago – August 16, 2019 – In a landmark moment for India-Caribbean relations, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Trinidad and Tobago today as part of his five-nation diplomatic tour, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to make a bilateral visit to the island nation in two decades. The visit is marked by the conferment of the Order of Trinidad and Tobago, the highest civilian honour of the country.
Prime Minister Modi’s arrival at Piarco International Airport was met with a ceremonial reception, including a Guard of Honour and warm greetings from top-level dignitaries. His two-day stay in the Caribbean nation is expected to deepen bilateral cooperation across trade, culture, energy, and diaspora engagement.
This visit holds particular historical significance as it is the first official prime ministerial-level engagement between India and Trinidad and Tobago since 1999. It also underscores India’s continued outreach to the Caribbean under its broader diplomatic strategy of strengthening ties with the Global South.
A highlight of the visit is the conferral of the Order of Trinidad and Tobago, awarded to Prime Minister Modi for his distinguished service in fostering international cooperation and for his role in enhancing the longstanding cultural and historical bonds between the two nations. Instituted in 2008, the award replaced the Trinity Cross and represents the pinnacle of national recognition in Trinidad and Tobago.
Modi’s stop in Port of Spain comes during the second phase of his August 2019 multi-nation tour, which included high-level engagements in France, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and potentially other Caribbean nations such as Guyana.
Further meetings, public engagements, and cultural events are scheduled over the two days, highlighting shared democratic values, economic partnership, and the vibrant Indian diaspora that forms a vital part of Trinidad and Tobago’s multicultural society.
