Terrorism humanity's enemy, must unite to deny it any shelter: PM Modi
Addressing the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago, PM Modi said, 'Our two countries may differ in size and geography, but we are deeply aligned in our values. We are proud democracies. We believe in dialogue, sovereignty, multilateralism and human dignity. In these times of conflicts, we must remain true to these values.'
'Terrorism is the enemy of humanity. This very Red House has itself witnessed the wounds of terror and the loss of innocent blood. We must stand united to deny terrorism any shelter or space. We thank the people and the government of this country for standing with us in our fight against terrorism,' he said.
PM Narendra Modi, who had arrived in the Caribbean nation Thursday, was received by Trinidad & Tobago PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar. 'People in India consider Prime Minister Kamla ji as the daughter of Bihar,' Modi said at Piarco International Airport.
Modi was conferred with 'The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago', becoming the first foreign leader to receive the Caribbean country's highest civilian honour.
The two sides signed pacts on the pharmaceutical sector, Indian aid for projects, cultural exchanges, sports, diplomat training and Indian studies chair at University of West Indies.
The two countries are also working on a trade pact and an investment treaty, partnering towards establishing local drug manufacturing facilities, biotech parks, and telemedicine networks in the Caribbean nation, a regional forensic science laboratory, and implementing a disaster alert system in the island to strengthen national emergency response.
Kamla Persad-Bissessar said, 'As we move ahead, We aim to expand our exports to tap into India's 1.4 billion consumers… We are also pursuing a partial scope trade agreement…and we are laying the foundation for a new bilateral investment treaty.'
She said, 'We want to partner with Indian pharmaceutical leaders to establish local drug manufacturing facilities, biotech parks, telemedicine networks…India has also pledged support for a Jaipur foot camp, sea ambulances..'
She expressed willingness to adopt India's UPI system and collaborate on India stack tools such as Aadhaar and Digi locker.
'This visit is more than just diplomacy. It marks the dawn in renewed South-South partnership, grounded in shared history and grounded in forward looking purpose,' Kamla Persad-Bissessar said.
PM Modi said, 'It is time for us to work together, to give the Global South its rightful seat at the right table. To ensure climate justice, so that the burden does not fall on those who have contributed the least to the climate crisis. We consider Trinidad and Tobago an important partner in this endeavour.'
This is Modi's first visit to the country as prime minister and the first Indian bilateral visit at the prime ministerial level to Trinidad and Tobago since 1999.
PM Modi underlined that these special ties were based on shared history and cultural heritage forged by Indians who arrived in the country 180 years ago. He affirmed his commitment to further deepening the bilateral partnership between India and Trinidad & Tobago.
Modi said Trinidad and Tobago is not only a CARICOM partner for India but also an important partner globally. 'Our cooperation is significant for the entire Global South,' he added.
CARICOM, the Caribbean Community, is a regional political and economic union of 15 states and five associated members.
Modi said he brought a replica of the Ram temple and some water from the river Sarayu in Ayodhya.
'I request Kamla ji (prime minister) to offer the holy waters of the Sarayu River and Maha Kumbh to the Ganga Dhara here. May these holy waters bless the people of Trinidad and Tobago,' he added.
Modi said India is actively working on creating a comprehensive database of the Girmitiya community. The community comprised indentured labourers sent from British India to work on plantations in South Africa, Fiji, Mauritius and the Caribbean islands.
'Today, I am happy to announce that OCI cards will now be given to the sixth generation of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad & Tobago. You are not just connected by blood or surname. You are connected by belonging. India looks out for you, India welcomes you, and India embraces you,' he said.
After his visit, he will leave for the third-leg of the 5-nation trip to Argentina. From Port of Spain, he will travel to Buenos Aires. This will be the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Argentina in 57 years.
Argentina is a key economic partner in Latin America and a close collaborator in the G20, and will meet President Javier Milei on Saturday.
Shubhajit Roy, Diplomatic Editor at The Indian Express, has been a journalist for more than 25 years now. Roy joined The Indian Express in October 2003 and has been reporting on foreign affairs for more than 17 years now. Based in Delhi, he has also led the National government and political bureau at The Indian Express in Delhi — a team of reporters who cover the national government and politics for the newspaper. He has got the Ramnath Goenka Journalism award for Excellence in Journalism '2016. He got this award for his coverage of the Holey Bakery attack in Dhaka and its aftermath. He also got the IIMCAA Award for the Journalist of the Year, 2022, (Jury's special mention) for his coverage of the fall of Kabul in August 2021 — he was one of the few Indian journalists in Kabul and the only mainstream newspaper to have covered the Taliban's capture of power in mid-August, 2021. ... Read More
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