India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended a heartfelt invitation to the people of Trinidad and Tobago, promising expanded opportunities for members of the Indian diaspora to reconnect with their ancestral homeland. Speaking to a packed audience at the National Cycling Centre in Couva last night, Modi announced that Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards will soon be made available to sixth-generation descendants of Indians in Trinidad and Tobago.
Modi’s address, his first official engagement after arriving in the country yesterday afternoon, underscored the deep cultural and historical ties between India and Trinidad and Tobago. He praised the diaspora’s enduring contributions to the twin-island republic and encouraged more Trinbagonians of Indian heritage to visit India.
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“There must be something magical in the doubles and dhalpuri because you have doubled the success of this great nation,” Modi remarked, in a nod to the local cuisine and the diaspora’s significant impact.
During his speech, Modi paid tribute to several distinguished members of the diaspora, including President Christine Kangaloo, former Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, and the late former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday. He also honored the legacies of renowned scholar Rudranath Capildeo, legendary musician Sundar Popo, and retired cricketer Darren Ganga.
“Just consider the remarkable impact you have had on this beautiful nation,” he said, noting that while Indo-Trinbagonians trace their origins to the indentureship era, their modern identity is no longer defined by struggle but by their successes, resilience, and enduring values.
Prime Minister Modi revealed that India has launched an initiative to trace and document the villages and towns from which diaspora communities originated. In this spirit, he described the extension of OCI eligibility as a meaningful gift to the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
“Today, I am pleased to announce that OCI cards will now be available to the sixth generation of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago. We are not connected merely by blood or surnames—we are united by a profound sense of belonging,” Modi declared to resounding applause. “India cares for you. India welcomes you. India embraces you.”
The OCI card is a special visa status that allows individuals of Indian descent to live, work, invest, and own property in India indefinitely. While it does not grant dual citizenship, it provides many of the same rights as Indian nationals.
Throughout his address, which was occasionally delivered in Hindi, Modi expressed deep pride in the global Indian diaspora and its role in strengthening India’s relationships worldwide.
Modi also reflected on his previous visit to Trinidad and Tobago 25 years ago, when he attended the World Hindu Conference as part of a delegation before becoming prime minister.
“Friends, during my last visit, we all admired the cover drives and pull shots of Brian Lara. Today, it is Sunil Narine and Nicholas Pooran who inspire the same excitement in the hearts of our youth,” he remarked, drawing an appreciative response from the audience.
Modi highlighted the vibrant cultural traditions of Trinidad and Tobago, such as the grand celebrations of Ramleela in Sangre Grande and Dow Village. He also noted the shared place names between India and Trinidad and Tobago, emphasizing the lasting imprint of Indian heritage across the country.
In a personal gesture, Modi presented the audience with holy water brought from India as a symbol of devotion and goodwill, expressing his hope that it would bless the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
He warmly invited Trinbagonians to visit India, not only to explore their ancestral villages but also to experience the country’s rich culture firsthand.
“Bring your children, bring your neighbors—invite anyone who enjoys chai and a good story,” he encouraged.
Today, Prime Minister Modi will be formally awarded the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the nation’s highest honor, by President Christine Kangaloo at President’s House. He is also scheduled to address a joint session of Parliament before departing for Argentina later in the day.
