Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Trinidad and Tobago, his first as PM and the first by an Indian leader in 26 years, struck a deep emotional and diplomatic chord. The Indian diaspora greeted him with open arms and beating drums, but it was the Bhojpuri ‘Chautaal’ performance that stole the show in Port of Spain.

Clapping along with the rhythm, the Prime Minister looked visibly moved. On social media, he called it a “priceless cultural connection,” and BJP MP Manoj Tiwari called it “an expression of Bihar’s soul on foreign soil.”

An Honour for the Ages

In a moment that will go down in the annals of diplomacy, President Christine Kangaloo conferred upon PM Modi the Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, the nation’s highest civilian honour. He became the first foreign leader to receive it.

“I accept this award on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians,” Modi said with humility. “It is a symbol of our eternal friendship.”

This honour marked his 25th global award until then, including recognitions from Ghana, Cyprus, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Kuwait, Nigeria, Guyana, and Dominica and ones from Brazil and Namibia to follow—highlighting Modi’s growing stature as a statesman of the Global South.

In Parliament: A Speech for the Ages

Addressing the Parliament of Trinidad & Tobago inside the historic Red House, the Prime Minister’s remarks drew more than 20 rounds of applause. He hailed the enduring Indo-Caribbean connection:

“Here, Bhojpuri found harmony with Creole. Dal Puri met Doubles. Tabla met the steel pan.”

He lauded the diaspora’s contributions “from politics to poetry, cricket to commerce, calypso to chutney,” and applauded the national motto:

“Together we aspire, together we achieve.”

People, Progress and Partnership

The PM’s speech emphasised women-led development, referencing President Kangaloo and PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar as examples of empowered diaspora leadership. He highlighted India’s own 33% legislative reservation for women and over 1.5 million elected women in grassroots governance.

The two nations signed key agreements in health, climate resilience, disaster response, agri-research and defence. Modi also gifted 2,000 laptops, dialysis machines, and $1M worth of agro-machinery, and announced a limb-fitment camp for 800 people.