Port of Spain, July 4: An outreach to the Indian diaspora, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged members of the Indian-origin community in Trinidad and Tobago to visit India—the land of their ancestors—and announced that Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards will now be extended to sixth-generation descendants of the diaspora in the Caribbean nation.
Speaking at a packed event during his first bilateral visit to Trinidad and Tobago—and the first by an Indian PM since 1999—Modi called on the community to “walk the soil your ancestors walked” and bring their children, neighbours, and friends to experience India’s warmth and hospitality.
“We will welcome all of you with open arms, warm hearts, and jalebi,” Modi said, evoking laughter and applause. “Don’t just stay connected through social media. Come see the villages of your forefathers. Bring along anyone who enjoys chai and a good story,” he added.
Modi also invited former Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar—a prominent Indo-Caribbean leader whose roots trace back to Buxar, Bihar—to the next Mahakumbh festival in India. “Kamla ji’s ancestors hailed from Buxar, and she is regarded as a daughter of Bihar. I brought with me holy water from the Mahakumbh and Sarayu River and invite her to offer it to the Ganga Dhara here,” he said.
The move to extend OCI eligibility to the sixth generation marks a significant shift in India’s engagement with its global diaspora. “We aren’t just connected by blood or surnames—you are connected by belonging. India welcomes, and India embraces you,” Modi said.
The gesture was met with emotional responses from the Indo-Trinidadian community, many of whom trace their lineage to Indian indentured labourers who arrived in the Caribbean in the 19th century.
During the event, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar showered praise on Modi, calling him “one of the world’s most respected, most admired visionary leaders.”
“We are graced by a leader whose visit is not just protocol, but a profound honour,” she said. “You are a transformational force who has empowered over a billion people and restored pride in the Indian identity across the globe.”
She credited Modi’s leadership for modernising the Indian economy, extending global vaccine support during the COVID-19 pandemic, and championing diaspora engagement and shared heritage.
In recognition of his contribution to strengthening bilateral ties and honoring the diaspora, PM Modi was conferred with the ‘Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago’, the island nation’s highest civilian award.
The visit, rich in symbolism and diplomacy, is expected to open a new chapter in India–Trinidad and Tobago relations and deepen people-to-people bonds between the two nations.
