Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his visit to Trinidad and Tobago, praised the resilience and contributions of the Indian diaspora, calling their journey a story of courage and persistence.

Speaking at a community event in Couva, he said, “The circumstances your ancestors faced could have broken even the strongest of spirits. But they faced hardships with hope. They met problems with persistence.” Modi added that the Indian community is no longer defined by its struggles, but by its success, service, and values.

Trinidad and Tobago has a population of approximately 13 lakh, 45% of whom are descendants of indentured labourers who were brought from British India to work on plantations.

This is Prime Minister Modi’s first visit to Trinidad and Tobago, the first Indian prime ministerial-level bilateral visit to the country since 1999. It is the second stop on his five-nation tour.