By Sue-Ann Wayow

IN his first official address to Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister of  India Narendra Modi said the relationship between the two countries was beyond geography and generations.

Modi, on Thursday, delivered the feature address to a large audience gathered at the National Cycling Velodrome in Couva as a Community Diaspora grand public event was held to receive him.

“Our bonds go well beyond geography and generations,” he said to a crowd that waved the flags of the two nations.

Modi is in Trinidad and Tobago for a two-day visit on the invitation of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Persad-Bissessar and her Cabinet members were present.

Modi, praised the success of both countries, its people and achievements.

He revealed that Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards will now be extended to the sixth generation of Indian-origin individuals in Trinidad and Tobago.

It was a move aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties and preserving cultural identity.

“We deeply value the strength and support of our diaspora. With over 35 million people spread across the world, the Indian diaspora is our pride…Each one of you, is an ambassador of India, culture and heritage,” he said.

Modi also said a comprehensive database was being built to document the villages and areas in India from which ancestors migrated.

“Today, I am happy to announce that OCI cards will now be given to the sixth generation of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago. We are not just connected by blood or surname. You are connected by belonging. India looks out for you. India welcomes you. And India embraces you.”

He also encouraged attendees to visit India physically, not just virtually and on social media.

“Walk on the soil, your ancestors walked on… We will welcome you with open hands, warm hearts and jelebi,” he added to everyone’s laughter.

Delivering remarks mostly in English, Modi said the journey of the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago was mainly about courage faced by ancestors “facing hardships with hope” and shaping Trinidad and Tobago, culturally, economically and spiritually.

But both nations have achieved great accomplishments since then.

Soon, India will reach in the top three world economies, and its success will not just be for the people of India, but for the world, Modi said.

He said, “India is the fastest growing major economy in the world. Soon we will be among the top three economies of the world. The truth of India’s growth and progress is within the most needy.”

The World Bank has noted that India has lifted 250 million people out of extreme poverty in the last decade.

Modi said India’s growth was being powered by innovation and energy.

He said very soon, India will have a space station on the Moon adding that Trinidad and Tobago citizens cheered when India landed a spacecraft on the moon and named the place where it landed Shiv Shakti Point.

Modi said, “An Indian astronaut is aboard the International Space Station even as we speak. We are now working on a manned space mission… the time is not far when an Indian will walk on the moon and India will have its own space station.”

He also said India was the third largest start-up hub in the world with nearly half of the start-ups having women as directors and nearly, 120 start-ups received unicorn status.

Modi said Artificial Intelligence (AI), semi-conductors and quantum computing were becoming the new engines of growth.

He said, “Nearly 50% of the world’s real time digital transactions take place in India.”

Modi congratulated Trinidad and Tobago on being the first country in the region to adapt UPI (Unified Payments Interface). Now sending money will be as easy as sending a ‘good morning’ text message,” quipping with a cricketing metaphor, “and I promise it will be faster than West Indies bowling.”

 

The plan was to make India a manufacturing hub.

 “We have become the world’s second largest mobile manufacturer. We are exporting railway, locomotive, to the world…We are not just making for India, we are making for the world.”

 

Modi was very much aware of Indian icons in Trinidad listing them out much to the crowd’s delight from Siewdath Siewdass, Sundar Popo, Basdeo Panday, Persad-Bissessar, Sunil Narine and Darren Ganga.

He said people in India consider Persad-Bissessar as a daughter of the state of Bihar calling her “Bihar ki Beti.”

Modi also mentioned President Christine Kangaloo as being the first woman of East Indian descent to be President.

Kangaloo is expected to bestow upon Modi, the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT) on Friday.

Modi, said he was grateful to be bestowed the nation’s highest honour. He too brought a gift for Trinidad and Tobago – holy water from the Maha (Great) Kumbh Mela – one of the largest spiritual gathering which he requested of Persad-Bissessar to offer for Trinidad and Tobago.

“May this holy water blaze the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”

Modi thanked Persad-Bissessar for her hospitality and kind words and the warm welcome he received from citizens.

In her address to Modi, Persad-Bissessar praised him for his compassion and heartfelt outreach to the people of the diaspora especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said to Modi, “Through your visionary and futuristic initiatives, you have modernised the Indian economy. You have empowered over a billion citizens, and above all, you have instilled pride in the hearts of all Indians all over the world.

“And yet it is not only your governance, sir, but it is your reverence for heritage that has brought us together tonight.”

The cultural show had performances by the Shiv Shakti Dance Group, Neval Chatelal, Ravi B, Joshua Regrello and  Katelyn Sultan to name a few.