Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Port of Spain on Thursday, marking the second stop of his ongoing five-nation tour. During his visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to hold high-level discussions with the top leadership of Trinidad and Tobago to further strengthen bilateral ties.
Historical ties rooted in migration
The bond between India and Trinidad and Tobago traces back to the mid-19th century, when the subcontinent contributed nearly 143,000 indentured workers to Trinidad between 1845 and 1917. The majority hailed from Northern India, particularly from present-day Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Many descendants still take pride in identifying their ancestral villages, districts (Zila), and fiscal units (Pargana).
While these workers originally came for contractual labour lasting three to five years, most chose to stay, with approximately 134,183 Indians ultimately settling and shaping the country’s cultural and social fabric.
Over time, this community has moved beyond its origins in agriculture and indentured labour. Today, people of Indian descent- who make up about 42% of Trinidad and Tobago’s 1.4 million population- are active across sectors including business, law, politics, medicine, and academia. The transformation from indentureship to entrepreneurship reflects not only economic progress but also the enduring cultural and emotional ties with India.
In addition to this historic community, there are also around 500 Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in Trinidad and Tobago, many of whom are engaged in business and teaching. Indian presence in the local economy is further strengthened by Indian enterprises like New India Assurance, which operates in the insurance sector. Regular trade fairs showcasing Indian garments, handicrafts, and furniture have also helped popularise Indian products.
The Indian diaspora remains the largest in the Caribbean, noted for its strong cultural identity and economic success. These close cultural and people-to-people ties continue to support the historical relationship between India and Trinidad and Tobago.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: celebrating overseas Indians
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is observed every year on January 9 to acknowledge the contributions of the overseas Indian community in India’s growth story. Since 2015, the PBD Convention is organised every two years, along with theme-based regional conferences in between. These events provide a platform for the diaspora to connect with India through knowledge sharing, investments and collaborations.
The President of Trinidad and Tobago, Christine Carla Kangaloo, was virtually the Chief Guest at the 18th PBD in Bhubaneswar and was conferred the PBSA during India’s Republic Day celebrations in 2025.
During the 17th PBD Convention in Indore in January 2023, High Court Justice Frank Seepersad from Trinidad and Tobago received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA)- India’s highest honour for overseas Indians. Over the years, prominent figures from Trinidad and Tobago like former Prime Ministers Basdeo Panday (2005) and Kamla Persad-Bissessar (2012), as well as former Ministers Winston Dookeran (2017) and Dr. Lenny Krishendath Saith (2010), have also been recipients of the PBSA. The National Council for Indian Culture was similarly honoured in 2008.
The Ministry of External Affairs continues to engage with overseas Indians through various programmes. Among these is the Overseas Citizenship of India scheme, which allows eligible foreign nationals of Indian origin to register for special status and privileges in India. The Know India Programme offers diaspora youth a three-week opportunity to connect with their ancestral homeland and learn about India’s history, culture, economy and scientific achievements through study tours and interactions with experts.