PM Modi conferred with Trinidad and Tobago’s highest civilian honour

This is PM Modi's first visit to the country as Prime Minister and the first Indian bilateral visit at the Prime Ministerial level to Trinidad and Tobago since 1999.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Trinidad and Tobago on July 3–4, 2025:

✈️ Historic First Visit Since 1999

Modi was in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, from July 3 to July 4, 2025, as part of a five-nation tour that began in Ghana and continued to Argentina, Brazil (for the BRICS Summit), and Namibia .

This was the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime minister since 1999, though a PM-level non-bilateral visit (PM Manmohan Singh) occurred in 2009 .

Mr. Modi arrived in Trinidad and Tobago from Ghana, where he was conferred with ‘The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana’, the country's national honour.

Honoured to be conferred with ‘The Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago’. I accept it on behalf of 140 crore Indians," Mr. Modi said.

🇹🇹 Warm and Cultural Reception

Modi received a grand welcome at Piarco International Airport, including a Guard of Honour greeted by PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her entire cabinet—38 ministers and 4 MPs 

Cultural highlights included a traditional Bhojpuri Chautaal performance, celebrating the deep Indian heritage in Trinidad & Tobago 

Modi brought symbolic gifts, including a replica of Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir and holy water from the Sarayu River and Mahakumbh, acknowledging shared spiritual ties 

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🛠️ Strengthening Bilateral & Diaspora Bonds

Modi spoke at both the airport event and on July 3 in Couva at the National Cycling Velodrome, praising Indo-Trinidadians as brave and resilient, noting their ancestors left the Ganga and Yamuna behind but carried the Ramayana in their hearts .

At Couva, he highlighted India’s ambitions in AI, semiconductors, quantum tech, and lauded Trinidad & Tobago for being the first in the region to adopt UPI digital payments .

He met winners of the Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz—Shankar Ramjattan, Nicholas Maraj, and Vince Mahato—celebrating deeper diaspora engagement.

🏅 Highest Honour & Mixed Reactions

On July 4, Modi was awarded the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT), the nation's highest civilian honour, becoming the first foreign leader to receive it .

The award stirred divided responses: enthusiastically welcomed by the Hindu community and government, but criticised by the Anjuman Sunnat-ul-Jamaat Association, citing concerns over religious intolerance in India .

🧭 Key Takeaways

Modi’s visit reinforced strong historical, cultural, and economic ties between India and Trinidad & Tobago, with high-level meetings planned with both the Prime Minister and President.

The visit served dual purposes: bilateral diplomacy and diaspora outreach, spotlighting cultural heritage and technology cooperation.

Though the ORTT honour was symbolic of appreciation, it prompted internal discussion about human rights and India’s domestic policies.