During his official visit to Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a series of transformative initiatives aimed at reinforcing India’s connection with the global Girmitiya community. Speaking to Indian-origin citizens in Port of Spain, PM Modi emphasized India’s commitment to preserving the legacy of indentured laborers, pledging to develop a comprehensive Girmitiya database. This will trace the ancestral villages of those who migrated and map where their descendants have settled worldwide.
The Prime Minister also revealed that descendants of Indian origin in Trinidad and Tobago—up to the sixth generation—would now be eligible to receive Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards. This move allows deeper engagement with India, enabling holders to work and live in the country with fewer restrictions.
Modi urged the diaspora to visit their ancestral lands, emphasizing a spiritual connection beyond heritage. “You may have left the soil, but you carry the soul of India,” he said, praising their resilience and cultural preservation. He commended their efforts to keep traditions like Ramayana alive in distant lands and acknowledged their contributions to local economies and cultures.
In a tech-savvy turn, PM Modi celebrated Trinidad and Tobago for being the first nation in the Caribbean region to adopt India’s UPI digital payment system. He described the move as a game-changer for financial connectivity, likening its ease to sending a morning text message. He also highlighted that 50% of the world’s real-time digital transactions now happen in India.
On the economic front, Modi shared that India has elevated over 250 million people out of extreme poverty in the past decade. The nation now ranks as the third-largest startup hub globally, with women serving as directors in nearly half of these ventures. Innovations in AI, semiconductors, and quantum computing are driving India’s tech revolution.
Trinidadian Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar applauded Modi’s leadership, calling him a transformative figure modernizing India’s economy. PM Modi received a warm ceremonial welcome upon arrival, with vibrant music and dance reflecting the cultural fusion of India and the Caribbean.
India’s embrace of its diaspora, especially the Girmitiya community, continues to bridge continents—both historically and digitally.
