-The Indian diaspora is our pride: PM Modi

-At the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, I announced several initiatives to honour and connect with the Girmitiya community across the world: PM Modi

Delhi, 4 July (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a large gathering of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago, recognizing the 180-year celebration of Indian immigration. Honored with The Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago,PM Modi expressed gratitude for the accolade and emphasized the robust ties between India and Trinidad. He appreciated the resilience of the Indian diaspora in preserving cultural traditions, announcing the issuance of OCI cards to sixth-generation people of Indian origin to strengthen these ties.

The community programme in Port of Spain was spectacular.The energy and warmth of the people made it truly unforgettable. Evidently, our cultural bonds shine brightly.Today’s community programme in Port of Spain was made even more special by the distinguished presence of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. I thank her for the kind words and the emphasis on strong India-Trinidad & Tobago friendship,PM Modi in X.

Highlighting India's rapid advancements across various sectors,PM Modi noted the upliftment of 250 million people from extreme poverty over the past decade and projected India as a future top-three global economy driven by new growth engines in AI, semiconductor technology, and quantum computing. He underscored the success of UPI digital payments and expressed hopes for its adoption in Trinidad. Reflecting the ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, he reaffirmed India's support for Trinidad's development, and the event featured cultural performances from the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Cooperation.

PM Modi celebrated the return of Ram Lalla to Ayodhya, acknowledging the diaspora's contributions to the Ram Mandir project, presenting a replica of the temple and holy water from the River Sarayu to honor this bond. He referred to the diaspora as ‘Rashtradoot,’ recognizing their role as ambassadors of Indian culture and values. He noted the achievements of descendants of Girmitiyas and announced initiatives to connect with the global Girmitiya community.

Additionally, Modi highlighted advancements in India's space program, sharing plans for a manned mission, ‘Gaganyaan,’ and the naming of the Chandrayaan-3 landing site as ‘Shiv Shakti point.’ The event, attended by over 4,000 people, celebrated the enduring cultural heritage linking the diaspora to India, reinforcing their identity.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar welcomed PM Modi, highlighting the deep ties between India and Trinidad. She praised his visionary initiatives for modernizing India’s economy and empowering a billion citizens, instilling global pride in Indians.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a historic five-nation tour scheduled from July 2-9, with visits to Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar