Modi Calls Global Indian Diaspora ‘India’s Pride’ During Trinidad Visit

 Modi Calls Global Indian Diaspora ‘India’s Pride’ During Trinidad Visit

Warm Reception: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a heartfelt welcome from the Indian community after landing in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on Thursday. He was joined by the country’s Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

During an event with people of Indian origin on Friday, Prime Minister Modi praised the 35 million-strong Indian diaspora across the globe, calling them a source of pride for the country. Speaking in the capital, Port of Spain, he emphasized the importance of preserving and deepening India’s ties with its global community—particularly those descended from indentured laborers taken from India during the colonial period.

“The Indian diaspora is not just a number—it’s our strength, our cultural ambassadors,” Modi said. “Each of you represents the spirit, values, and heritage of India wherever you are.”

In a significant announcement, Modi revealed that sixth-generation Indian-origin citizens in Trinidad and Tobago will soon be eligible to receive the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card—marking the first time India has extended this benefit to such a distant generation in the Caribbean region.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the deep historical and cultural bonds between the Girmitiya community in the Caribbean and their ancestral roots in India—mainly from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. These regions were the point of origin for many of the Bhojpuri-speaking migrants who were sent to work on plantations across the Caribbean, southern Africa, and the Pacific during British colonial rule.

“We’re working to reconnect with that history,” he said, noting that India is creating a comprehensive database of the Girmitiya diaspora. This includes documenting the Indian villages their ancestors came from, tracking where their descendants are today, and preserving the stories of their journeys. He also mentioned plans to hold regular World Girmitiya Conferences to celebrate and study this legacy.

Modi congratulated Trinidad and Tobago on becoming the first Caribbean nation to adopt India’s UPI (Unified Payments Interface) digital payment system, which will make financial transactions between the two countries easier and more efficient.

As the island nation prepares to mark 180 years since the arrival of Indian indentured laborers in 2025, Modi’s visit and announcements were especially meaningful. “India doesn’t just see you as people with Indian names,” he said. “You are family. You belong.”