Daijiworld Media Network – Port of Spain

Port of Spain, Jul 4: In a historic address during his first official bilateral visit to Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi struck an emotional chord with the Indian diaspora, urging them to return to their ancestral land and deepen their cultural ties with India. The visit also marked the first by an Indian Prime Minister to the Caribbean nation in over two decades, the last being in 1999.

Addressing a vibrant crowd in Port of Spain, Modi extended a heartfelt invitation to people of Indian origin, saying, “I encourage all of you to visit India more often — not just through social media, but in person. Visit the villages of your ancestors. Walk on the soil they walked on. Bring your children and neighbours, anyone who loves ‘chai’ and a good story. You will be welcomed with open arms, warm hearts, and jalebi!”

Modi was warmly received by Trinidad and Tobago’s former Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar, fondly known as the “daughter of Bihar” owing to her ancestral roots in Buxar, Bihar. He acknowledged her Indian lineage during the event and extended a special gesture.

“Kamla ji’s ancestors hailed from Buxar, and she has already visited her ancestral village. I had the honour of bringing holy water from the Sarayu River and the Mahakumbh. I invite Kamla ji to offer this sacred water to the Ganga Dhara here,” he said.

Bissessar had earlier visited her ancestral village, Bhelupur in the Itarhi block of Buxar district, during her India trip in 2012.

Making a significant announcement, Prime Minister Modi declared an expansion of eligibility for the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, now extending it to the sixth generation of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago.

“We are not just connected by surname or blood. We are connected by belonging,” he said. “Today, I am proud to announce that people of Indian origin in Trinidad and Tobago, up to the sixth generation, will be eligible for OCI cards, giving them the right to live and work in India without any restrictions.”

The announcement was met with thunderous applause and emotional responses from the large gathering of Indian-origin citizens, many of whom have maintained their cultural identity for generations.

PM Modi’s visit is seen as a significant diplomatic gesture aimed at strengthening ties between India and the Caribbean region, with culture and diaspora diplomacy at the heart of the engagement.