I am deeply honoured to stand before you, the elected representatives of a proud democracy and a friendly nation: PM
For India, democracy is a way of life: PM
India and Trinidad & Tobago share a relationship rooted in centuries-old bonds: PM
We are strengthening the hands of women to build a modern India: PM
We see our development as a responsibility towards others, And our priority will always be the Global South: PM
The Global South is rising; They wish to see a new and fairer world order: PM
MAHASAGAR is India’s guiding vision for the Global South: PM
NEW DELHI, JULY 05, 2025: At the invitation of the President of the Senate, Wade Mark and the Speaker of the House, Jagdeo Singh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed the Joint Assembly of the Parliament of Trinidad & Tobago [T&T]. He is the first Prime Minister from India to address the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament, and the occasion marked a milestone in India-Trinidad and Tobago bilateral relations.
Addressing the august House, the Prime Minister conveyed special greetings to the Members from the largest democracy in the world. He expressed gratitude to the people of T&T for bestowing on him their highest national honour. Elaborating on the vibrancy of Indian democracy, he noted that India, as the Mother of Democracy, had made the practice integral to its culture and life. This approach, he noted, had allowed India’s diversity to flourish and prosper, and all ideas to co-exist and enrich parliamentary discourses and public debates.
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Prime Minister congratulated T&T on its successful democratic journey. He noted that India was privileged to stand in solidarity with the people of T&T on their path to freedom. He further emphasised that the deep-rooted bonds between the two countries as modern nations have gone from strength to strength. Underlining the close ties between the two democracies, aptly reflected in the Speaker’s Chair gifted by India, the Prime Minister called for further enhancing bilateral parliamentary exchanges. Expressing delight at the significant presence of women parliamentarians in the House, he highlighted the historic step taken by India to reserve 33% of the seats in Parliament and state legislatures for women. He also elaborated on women leaders taking the lead at the grassroots level in India, and in this context, mentioned the 1.5 million elected women powering local governance institutions in the country.
The Prime Minister elaborated on the challenges being faced by humanity. He called for the global community to strengthen the fight against terrorism, which poses a grave threat to peace loving society. He called for reform of global governance and for the Global South to be given its due. He committed to further strengthening India-CARICOM ties.
Recalling the ongoing celebrations of the 180 years of the arrival of Indians in Trinidad, Prime Minister noted that the ties between the two countries were based on the foundations of centuries-old bonds, and these would continue to deepen and prosper.
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