Latest news with #BlackTrinidadians
Kuwait Times
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Trinidad and Tobago gives top honor to Indian PM Modi
PORT OF SPAIN: Trinidad and Tobago's President Christine Kangaloo (right) awards India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT), the country's highest honor, in Port of Spain on July 4, 2025. -- AFP PORT OF SPAIN: Trinidad and Tobago on Friday bestowed its highest honor on visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is seeking to strengthen New Delhi's ties with the Caribbean and Latin America. Modi arrived Friday in the country, where more than a third of the population is of Indian descent. President Christine Carla Kangaloo gave him the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago at a ceremony at President's House in St Ann's, just outside the capital Port of Spain—the first time a foreign leader was so honored. 'This honor is a symbol of the deep and eternal friendship between our two countries,' Modi said, according to an official translation. Relations between India and Trinidad and Tobago date back to 1845, when indentured Indian laborers first arrived to work on sugar and cocoa plantations under British colonial rule, following the end of slavery. Between 1845 and 1917, more than 140,000 laborers settled in the Caribbean nation. The Indian community is now the country's largest ethnic group, at 35.4 percent of the population of 1.4 million. Black Trinidadians are the second largest group at 34.2 percent. 'It is a matter of great pride that the Indian community here continues to preserve our shared traditions, culture and customs with such care and devotion,' Modi said. He called Kangaloo and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar 'the biggest brand ambassadors of this community.' 'Our relationship carries the excitement of cricket and the flavor of Trinidad pepper,' Modi said, calling Trinidad and Tobago a vital partner for New Delhi. 'India and Trinidad & Tobago rose from the shadows of colonial rule to write our destiny of progress. Our nations stand tall as proud democracies and pillars of strength in the modern world,' Modi wrote on X. 'It's high time we all work together to give the Global South its rightful seat at the high table.' During his time in Port of Spain, Modi addressed the Trinidadian parliament and signed memorandums of understanding with Persad-Bissessar. Devant Maharaj, a former government minister and leader of the nation's largest Hindu organization, called Modi a 'hero' and hailed the visit. But Trinidad's largest Muslim organization questioned the decision to honor Modi, citing his human rights record. He will next visit Argentina and Brazil, where a BRICS summit will take place on Sunday and Monday. –AFP
Daily Tribune
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
India's Modi in Trinidad and Tobago as part of Caribbean push
AFP | Port of Spain Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a two-day visit to Trinidad and Tobago, where more than a third of the population is of Indian descent. The visit, Modi's first to the Caribbean nation since he took power in 2014, is part of a wider tour of Latin America that will also include stops in Argentina and Brazil. Modi was greeted at the airport in the capital, Port of Spain, by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the country's second woman prime minister of Indian descent, and members of her cabinet. During his time in Port of Spain, Modi will meet with Persad-Bissessar and President Christine Carla Kangaloo. He is also due to address a joint session of parliament. He is expected to receive the Caribbean nation's highest honor, the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Relations between India and Trinidad and Tobago date back to 1845, when indentured Indian laborers first arrived to work on sugar and cocoa plantations under British colonial rule, following the end of slavery. Between 1845 and 1917, more than 140,000 laborers settled in the Caribbean nation. The Indian community is now the country's largest ethnic group, at 35.4 percent of the population of 1.4 million. Black Trinidadians are the second-largest group at 34.2 percent. Devant Maharaj, a former government minister and leader of the nation's largest Hindu organization, called Modi a 'hero' and hailed the visit. Modi is seeking to strengthen India–Caribbean ties, following a June visit to Guyana and a summit with Caribbean leaders. He arrived in Trinidad and Tobago from Ghana, where he outlined plans for deeper ties between his country and Africa. Following his swing through Latin America and the Caribbean, the Indian prime minister will visit Namibia before returning home.
