Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been awarded the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the highest civilian honour of the Caribbean country. This recognition came during his official visit and makes him the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Trinidad and Tobago in 25 years.
The award was announced by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago, who called PM Modi’s visit a proud moment that reflects the strong historical and cultural ties between the two nations.
PM Modi received the honour for:
- His global leadership,
- Strong connection with the Indian diaspora, and
- Humanitarian efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reacting to the honour, PM Modi said:
“I feel deeply honoured to receive the ‘Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago’. I dedicate this award to the 140 crore people of India.”
During the ceremony, he spoke about the shared culture and ancestral ties between India and Trinidad and Tobago. He noted that the President of Trinidad and Tobago, Christine Kangaloo, has roots in Tamil Nadu, and that the country is a true friend of India.
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PM Modi also referred to the famous Tamil poet Saint Thiruvalluvar, who described the qualities of a strong nation:
- Strong army
- Patriotic citizens
- Natural resources
- Good leadership
- Strong defence
- Friendly countries that support each other
“Trinidad and Tobago is that friendly nation for India,” he said.
This visit is part of PM Modi’s five-nation tour, and earlier, during his stop in Ghana, he was also awarded the Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana, another major honour.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that these honours reflect PM Modi’s impactful leadership and global influence.
