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Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Trinidad and Tobago in 2025 was the first by an Indian PM since 1999. He was awarded the country’s highest civilian honour — The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago — for his global leadership, strong diaspora engagement, and humanitarian efforts during the Covid-19 crisis.
Key Concepts and Definitions
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Order of the Republic of T&T | Highest civilian award conferred by Trinidad and Tobago. |
| CDRI | Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, a global initiative launched by India. |
| GBA | Global Biofuel Alliance – initiative to promote sustainable biofuel production and use. |
| Girmitiyas | Indian indentured labourers taken to British colonies under contract in the 19th–20th centuries. |
| India Stack | Set of APIs including UPI, DigiLocker, and e-Sign for digital public infrastructure. |
| CARICOM | Caribbean Community, a 15-member regional integration group established in 1973. |
News Summary
- PM Modi’s visit to Trinidad and Tobago rejuvenated historic ties and marked the first such visit in over 25 years.
- He was honored with the Order of the Republic for his humanitarian and diaspora initiatives.
- Several bilateral and regional agreements were signed, particularly in disaster resilience, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and digital governance.
- India extended its support to grassroots development, diaspora education, and cultural revival in T&T.
Key Outcomes of the Visit
| Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Disaster & Energy | T&T joins India’s CDRI and GBA. |
| Grant Assistance | India to fund 5 Quick Impact Projects/year (≤ USD 50,000 each). |
| Health & Pharma | MoU signed for pharma collaboration and access to affordable Indian medicines. |
| Diplomatic Training | T&T diplomats to receive training in India. |
| Diaspora Outreach | OCI card eligibility extended to 6th-generation Indian diaspora. |
| Digital Infrastructure | T&T adopts India Stack (UPI, DigiLocker, e-Sign); first in Caribbean to adopt UPI. |
| Agriculture Support | India donates agro-machinery (USD 1 mn), promotes millets, seaweed fertilizers, and natural farming. |
| Regional Cooperation | Emphasis on CARICOM ties, Global South solidarity, and counterterrorism cooperation. |
| Cultural Diplomacy | ICCR chairs re-established; training for Hindu priests; gifts include holy water and Ram Mandir replica. |
India – Trinidad and Tobago Relations Over Time
| Aspect | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Historical Ties | First Indian indentured workers arrived in 1845 on Fatel Razack; now ~45% of T&T population is of Indian origin. |
| Formal Ties | Diplomatic relations established in 1962. |
| Trade Relations | MFN agreement in 1997; trade includes pharma, vehicles, and iron. |
| Trade Data (2024–25) | Exports: USD 120.65 mn; Imports: USD 220.96 mn. |
| Development | HALT project during Covid under India-UNDP fund (robots, hygiene stations, telemedicine). |
Understanding the Indentured Labour System
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Indentured Labour | Post-slavery system where Indians worked under contracts for 5 years with harsh conditions. |
| Women’s Exploitation | Gendered discrimination and sexual abuse were rampant under this system. |
| Abolition | Mahatma Gandhi led a campaign to abolish the system; it was formally ended in 1920. |
| Origin Regions | Labourers were from present-day Uttar Pradesh and Bihar districts like Chhapra, Ballia, Azamgarh, etc. |
India–CARICOM Relations
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| About CARICOM | Formed in 1973, 15 members, HQ in Georgetown, Guyana. |
| India’s Support | USD 14 million for Community Development Projects (CDPs); USD 150 million LoC for green energy and climate. |
| Educational Support | ITEC programme for scholarships and training. |
| 2024 India–CARICOM Summit | Held in Guyana; 7 Pillars: capacity building, climate, food security, ocean economy, health, trade, culture. |
In a Nutshell
Memory Code: “CDRI-PHARMA-UPI-GIRMITIYA”
C – CDRI & CARICOM cooperation
P – Pharma collaboration & Pandit training
U – UPI & India Stack
G – Girmitiyas’ legacy celebrated
Prelims Questions
- Which Caribbean nation became the first to adopt India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI)?
A. Jamaica
B. Trinidad and Tobago
C. Guyana
D. Suriname - The term ‘Girmitiyas’ refers to:
A. Tribal warriors of Eastern India
B. British indentured officers
C. Indian contract labourers sent abroad in colonial times
D. Indian freedom fighters - Pitch Lake, the world’s largest natural asphalt deposit, is located in:
A. Brazil
B. Indonesia
C. Trinidad
D. Venezuela
Mains Questions
- India’s cultural and diaspora diplomacy plays a vital role in strengthening ties with the Caribbean nations. Discuss in the context of the 2025 India–Trinidad and Tobago summit.
- Critically examine the historical significance of the indentured labour system and its implications on India’s current global diaspora policy. (GS I – Modern Indian History)
Prelims Answer Key
| Question No. | Correct Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | Trinidad and Tobago is the first Caribbean country to adopt India’s UPI. |
| 2 | C | ‘Girmitiyas’ were Indian indentured labourers sent to colonies like T&T. |
| 3 | C | Pitch Lake is in Trinidad, a major natural asphalt deposit site. |
