By Sue-Ann Wayow

PRIME Minister of India Narendra Modi is expected to have a packed schedule when he arrives in Trinidad on Thursday.

According to an itinerary received by the Office of the Prime Minister on Tuesday, Modi is expected to touchdown at the Piarco International Airport at 3.45 pm on Thursday, following which he will check in at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port of Spain.

Then at 7 pm, he is expected to attend a Community Diaspora Event at the National Cycling Velodrome at Balmain Couva.

On Friday morning, Modi is scheduled to meet with President Chirstine Kangaloo at the Office of the President, where it is anticipated he will be bestowed the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago – the nation’s highest award.

He will then address a joint assembly of the Parliament at 10.35 am at the Parliamentary Complex.

His final public event is an exchange of Memoranda of Understanding and Tree Planting Ceremony to be held at the Rotunda Gallery and St Vincent Street Entrance, Parliamentary Complex.

In a release from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) on Monday, the release stated the visit was aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in key areas including finance, foreign policy, justice, education, legal affairs, health, agriculture, trade, energy, culture, sports and information communication technology (ICT), laying the groundwork for enhanced strategic collaboration between both nations.

Modi is visiting Trinidad and Tobago based on an invitation from Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

It will be his first visit as Indian Prime Minister and his first bilateral visit since 1999.

Indian media also reported that in addition to Trinidad and Tobago, Modi is also expected to visit Argentina, Brazil, Ghana and Namibia during the period July 2 to July 9 with the aim of strengthening India’s relationships with those countries.

Modi has been India’s prime minister since 2014, serving a third term.

The ORTT award to Modi will serve as a tribute of the nation’s appreciation for his outstanding contribution to the development of Trinidad and Tobago, service to the region and the wider international community, a subsequent release from the OPM stated.

Based on the last census taken in 2011, citizens of East Indian descent comprised 35.4% of the population making them the largest ethnic group in Trinidad and Tobago while those of African descent represented 34.2%.

The next large group was “Mixed,” at 22.8%.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is the second prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago of East Indian descent following after Basdeo Panday.

Upon Persad-Bissessar’s victory in the April 28 general election, Modi congratulated Persad-Bissessar on social media.

“We cherish our historically close and familial ties with Trinidad and Tobago. I look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen our partnership for shared prosperity and well-being of our people,” he posted out on “X”.

The relationship between India and Trinidad and Tobago dates back to May 30, 1845, when the ship the Fatel Razack brought the first group of 225 Indian indentured labourers to Trinidad.

Formal diplomatic relations were established in 1962, the year Trinidad and Tobago gained independence.

Over the years, the two countries have signed multiple bilateral agreements, including those on cultural cooperation and investment protection.

Persad-Bissessar in her first term as prime minister from 2010 to 2015, paid a state visit to India in January 2012, during which she was honoured with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award which is the highest award to be bestowed on overseas Indians.

On Monday, cabinet members were busy planning for the official visit.

Several business personnel said they anticipated the event as it should auger well for trade and investment opportunities.