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Democracy is not just a political system, it is a way of life: PM Modi in address to Trinidad & Tobago Parliament
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday described democracy as more than just a political system for India, calling it 'a way of life,' during his historic address to the Joint Assembly of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago.
PM Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the parliament of the Caribbean nation.
'I am deeply honoured to stand before you, the elected representatives of a proud democracy and a friendly nation,' PM Modi said. 'I bring greetings from 1.4 billion people of India. I also bring warm wishes from the people of Ghana, the country I visited just before arriving here.'
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Modi's speech delivered from the iconic Red House, the historic seat of Trinidad and Tobago's Parliament was rich in symbolism and historical references. He lauded the building as a witness to the nation's journey through 'struggles and sacrifices for freedom and dignity,' and praised its role as a foundation of an inclusive and resilient democracy over the past six decades.
In a heartfelt tribute to the Indian diaspora in the Caribbean, PM Modi highlighted the pride shared by Trinidad and Tobago's top leaders in their ancestral roots. 'The people of this great nation have chosen two remarkable women leaders, the President and the Prime Minister. They proudly call themselves daughters of the Indian diaspora. They take pride in their Indian heritage,' he said.
Drawing parallels between the histories of the two nations, the Prime Minister said, 'Both of our nations rose from the shadows of colonial rule to write our own stories with courage as our ink and democracy as our pen.'
Reinforcing the strength of democratic values, PM Modi said, 'Today, both our nations stand as proud democracies and pillars of strength in the modern world.'
The speech was part of the second leg of PM Modi's five-nation tour and followed his visit to Ghana. His address was widely seen as an effort to bolster India's ties with the Caribbean region, deepen historical bonds with the Indian diaspora, and promote democratic solidarity on the global stage.
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She has extensively been covering politics, policy, crime and internal security issues. She has covered More Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Bharatiya Janata Party bharatiya janata party bjp Narendra Modi news18 specials rajya sabha rajya sabha elections Rajya Sabha nomination Rajya Sabha polls view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 13, 2025, 14:18 IST News politics PM Modi Called Me, Said Kerala Matters: C Sadanandan Master On Rajya Sabha Nomination | Exclusive Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
