By Sue-Ann Wayow

PEACE, prosperity and progress is being bestowed upon India by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar as the nation celebrates 78 years of independence on Friday.

In a message on behalf of the government and people of Trinidad & Tobago on Thursday, Persad-Bissessar extended congratulations to India, hailing the country’s development.

She said, “Trinidad and Tobago shares the unbounded pride and patriotism of the government and people of India on their unmatched successes in all aspects of life since attaining political independence. These historic gains are the products of a single-minded national purpose, resolve, innovativeness and resilience.”

The fact that India’s economy was one of the fastest growing in the world with prospects for continued significant expansion was an indication of the enlightened and astute national leadership and the critical involvement of the society, Persad-Bissessar said.

India was also providing global diplomatic leadership and making remarkable technological advances, along with extraordinary advances in industry and commerce, space, academia, agriculture, culture and the arts, and other fields, she added.

Persad-Bissessar said, “India remains a flagship of democracy and an active depiction of the triumph of the human spirit. These are values which the government and people of Trinidad and Tobago honour and celebrate, as we seek to maximise our own potential as a young independent nation.”

She reminded citizens of how honoured the country was to receive India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his team of senior government officials last month, during which valued bilateral agreements were signed.

“Trinidad and Tobago is now deepening strategic relations with India on a wide number of core matters, including healthcare, food production, technology, culture, and people-to-people ties.

“We were humbled to be on the Prime Minister’s hectic international itinerary, and we consider the visit the launch of a renewed pathway in our deep-rooted and mutually beneficial relations,” Persad-Bissessar said.