In a symbolic gesture underscoring India’s deep-rooted ties with Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar with sacred water from the Sangam and Saryu River, collected during the Mahakumbh, along with a replica of the Ram Mandir. The exchange took place on July 3, 2025, during PM Modi’s first official visit to the Caribbean nation.
Speaking at a community gathering in Port of Spain, PM Modi referred to Kamla Persad-Bissessar as the “daughter of Bihar,” acknowledging her ancestral roots in Buxar district. He recalled her 2012 visit to Bhelupur, her ancestral village in Bihar, and invited her to ceremonially offer the gifted sacred waters to the Ganga Dhara in Trinidad—a symbolic stream created by the Indian diaspora to mirror the Ganges.
Highlighting the spiritual significance of his gifts, Modi remarked, “Earlier this year, the Mahakumbh, the largest spiritual gathering in the world, was held. I have brought with me holy water from that sacred event, and from the Sarayu. I ask Kamla ji to offer it to the Ganga Dhara here.”
This visit marks a major milestone as it is the first time since 1999 that an Indian Prime Minister has undertaken a bilateral trip to Trinidad and Tobago. PM Modi was welcomed with a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Piarco International Airport, where he was received by Persad-Bissessar, 38 ministers, and four parliamentarians of the Caribbean nation.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs emphasized the cultural and historical bond between both nations. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that 45% of Trinidad and Tobago’s population is of Indian descent, largely from Bhojpuri-speaking areas of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh such as Chhapra, Azamgarh, Ballia, and Banaras.
Jaiswal described the visit as a deeply emotional and historic moment that not only revives diplomatic ties but also celebrates the contributions and sacrifices of the Girmitiya diaspora. The event showcased the shared heritage through traditional music, dance, and warm greetings by the local Indian-origin community.
PM Modi’s offerings were both spiritual and symbolic—a reaffirmation of India’s commitment to its diaspora and its timeless civilizational connections.
