India - Trinidad and Tobago Relations

The relationship between India and Trinidad and Tobago is warm and friendly and based on deep-rooted people-to-people ties. History of the relationship goes back to 30 May 1845, when the first ship ‘Fatel Razack’ carrying 225 Indian indentured workers reached the shores of Trinidad, then a British colony. Their numbers increased with subsequent arrival of more ships from India till 1917. The descendants of those indentured workers, now in their fifth or sixth generation, form nearly 42% of the total population, constituting an integral part of the economic, political and social fabric of the country. The presence of a substantial population of Indian origin (the largest ethnic group) has contributed immensely to close bilateral relations between the two countries. India and Trinidad and Tobago share warm and cordial relations. India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Trinidad and Tobago following its independence from the UK on 31 August 1962. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, bilateral relations have witnessed continued momentum with engagement at different levels.

2. Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee paid a State Visit to Trinidad and Tobago from February 8-9, 1999. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh led a high-level delegation for CHOGM Summit in in Port of Spain in November 2009. Prime Minister Mr. Basdeo Panday paid a State Visit to India in January 1997, as Chief Guest on Republic Day. He attended the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in Mumbai in 2005 to receive the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, and again attended the PBD in 2008 (New Delhi). Prime Minister Ms. Kamla Persad-Bissessar paid a State visit to India from 05-14 January 2012. She was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising 7 Cabinet Ministers and a 160-member strong delegation from the private and public sectors. She was also Chief Guest at PBD 2012 in Jaipur and was conferred with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award.

3. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Dr. Keith C. Rowley met in London on April 19, 2018 on the sidelines of the CHOGM Summit and discussed various areas of bilateral cooperation. The two leaders met again at the first India-CARICOM Leaders’ Summit held in New York on September 25, 2019 on the sidelines of the 74^th UNGA. Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley paid a working visit to Mumbai from 15-19 May 2024, during which he called on Governor of Maharashtra Shri Ramesh Bais and visited Reliance Industries’ refining and petrochemical complex in Jamnagar and the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple. PM Rowley was accompanied by his spouse Mrs. Sharon Rowley, Minister of Works & Transport Senator Mr. Rohan Sinanan, and Minister of Sport & Community Development Ms. Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis.

4. EAM Dr S. Jaishankar held telephonic discussion with his Trinidad and Tobago counterpart Mr. Dennis Moses on April 29, 2020 to discuss the Covid-19 pandemic situation. EAM Dr S. Jaishankar’s meeting with FM Dr Amery Browne: EAM had a brief interaction with Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs on the sidelines of the India-CELAC FM’s Meeting on September 19, 2022, organized on the sidelines of the UNGA. EAM met FM Dr Amery Browne on the sidelines of the India-COFCOR Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on April 21, 2023 in Georgetown (Guyana). Dr Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs participated in the Foreign Ministers’ Virtual Session of the Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS) on January 13, 2023.

5. Senator Hassel Bacchus, Minister of Digital Transformation led the 1^st Technical Mission to India from August 05-11, 2023, had meetings with Shri Rajiv Chandrashekhar MoS, MeitY and Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi, MoS (EA). He also visited India Stack organisations for extensive discussions. An MoU on ‘Cooperation in the Field of Successful Digital Solutions Implemented at Population Scale for Digital Transformation’ was also signed. Senator Hassel Bacchus led the 2^nd Technical Mission to India from January 22 to February 2, 2024, to develop projects for implementation under MoU signed during the first visit in 2023.

6. Permanent Secretary in Ministry for Digital Transformation Mr. Cory Belfon, participated in Information and Technology Ministers’ Virtual Session of the Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS 3.0) on August 17, 2024.

7. Shri Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs and Textiles paid an Official visit to Trinidad and Tobago from 23-24 August 2024. He called on Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and had bilateral talks with Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Dr Amery Browne. MoS also visited the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago (Red House) where the Speaker’s Chair was gifted by Government of India in 1968. He also paid a courtesy call on Senator The Honourable Nigel de Freitas, President of the Senate and The Honourable Bridgid Annisette-George, MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives. He along with His Worship Alderman Chinua Alleyne, Mayor of Port of Spain paid floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Port of Spain. He also inaugurated an exhibition on Ramleela traditions in the Caribbean and interacted with the sizeable Indian diaspora at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Cooperation. An MoU for the Authorization of Gainful Employment of Dependents of Members of a Diplomatic Mission or Consular Post, was also signed. Details of other Ministerial visits are attached at Annexure - I .

Bilateral Dialogue mechanisms:

8. Joint Commission Meeting (JCM): The first meeting of the India-Trinidad and Tobago Joint Commission Meeting was held in New Delhi in November 2011. The Trinidad and Tobago delegation was led by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Communications, Dr. Surujrattan Rambachan and the Indian side was led by EAM, Shri S.M. Krishna. Areas of discussion included Science & Technology, air transport, agriculture, SMEs, education, healthcare, technology. co-operation, energy and trade.

9. Foreign Office Consultations (FOC): India and Trinidad & Tobago held the first round of FOCs in Port of Spain on 1 July 2011. The second round of FOC was held in Port of Spain on 16 August 2021. It was co-chaired by Mrs. Riva Ganguly Das, Secretary (East), MEA, and Mr. Bruce Lai, Permanent Secretary (Ag.), Ministry of Foreign & CARICOM Affairs of Trinidad & Tobago. Both sides reviewed the entire gamut of the bilateral relationship, including trade and economic cooperation and expressed satisfaction at the progress made so far. Discussions were also held on challenges posed by the pandemic and on exploring cooperation in the post-COVID recovery period in areas of mutual interest such as health and pharmaceuticals, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Information Technology-Enabled Services (ITES), Science & Technology and Space, Renewable Energy, agriculture, food processing, tourism, hotel and hospitality industry.

10. Important Bilateral Agreements and MoUs: Over the years, the two countries have signed several agreements and MoUs (Annexure - II) laying down the foundation for bilateral cooperation in diverse areas.

Parliamentary Exchanges:

11. The Parliamentarians of India and Trinidad & Tobago have traditionally enjoyed close relations. A 6-member delegation led by Speaker of Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar visited Trinidad & Tobago n January 2012 to attend the Commonwealth Speakers & Presiding Officers Conference. The Trinidad & Tobago Parliamentarians returned the visit in March 2012 when a 7-Member Parliamentary delegation jointly led by President of the Senate, Timothy Hamel-Smith and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Wade Mark visited India. During the visit, an Indo-Trinidad & Tobago Parliamentary Friendship Association was formed with Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, MP as the Indian Co-Chair. Four Members of Parliament of Trinidad visited India under the 10^th Gen Next Democracy Network Programme conducted by ICCR from May 15-24, 2023.

Development Partnership

12. Cooperation during Pandemic: EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar held telephonic discussion with his Trinidad & Tobago counterpart Mr. Dennis Moses on April 29, 2020 to discuss the situation caused by the pandemic. The medical aid donated by GoI was handed over to Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of Trinidad & Tobago at a virtual ceremony on November 23, 2020. Under the Vaccine Maitri Initiative, GoI donated 40,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVISHIELD vaccine to Trinidad & Tobago. The consignment was received by FM Dr. Amery Browne in the presence of Hon. Terrence Deyalsingh, Minister of Health on April 13, 2021.

13. Capacity building courses under ITEC programme were extended since long to the officials of Trinidad & Tobago. Presently, 85 slots are offered annually.

14. ‘HALT’ India-UNDP Fund Project: Following PM Shri Narendra Modi’s Summit with Caribbean leaders on September 25, 2019 on the sidelines of the UNGA, a US$ 1 million grant under India-UNDP Fund was announced for Trinidad & Tobago, for the project ‘Bringing High and Low Technology (HALT), implemented through Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and managed on a no-cost extension basis by the UN Office of the South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC).The project includes provision of eight mobile healthcare robots, a telemedicine system, hand hygiene stations. Telemedicine equipment have been formally handed over to T&T side in December 2022. Covid-related accessories like 55,000 washable masks and 50 hand hygiene stations have already been provided. Eight mobile healthcare robots were formally handed over to T&T side on 17 August 2024, bringing completion to the project.

15. Agro-processing Machinery (SME) Project: Following the meeting of EAM Dr S. Jaishankar with his CARICOM counterparts in Georgetown in April 2023, a US$ 1 million was granted to T&T for supplying SME machinery for an agro-processing facility of National Agriculture Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO), a public sector entity under T&T’s Ministry of Agriculture, Land & Fisheries. A delegation from NABARD Consultancy Services Ltd. (NABCONS) visited T&T on 18-19 July 2024 and met with all the stakeholders. An MoU is being finalized for timely implementation of the project.

Economic Relations

16. The Trade Agreement signed between India and Trinidad & Tobago in January 1997 accords Most Favored Nation (MFN) status to each other. Bilateral trade registered a record high of US$ 368.96 million in FY 2023-24. Major items of India’s Exports to Trinidad and Tobago include: Vehicles, Rolling Stock, Parts and Accessories; Iron and Steel; Pharmaceutical Products; Plastic and Articles etc. Major items of India’s Imports from Trinidad & Tobago for the period 2023-24 include: Mineral Fuels, Mineral Oils and Products of their Distillation; Bituminous Substances; Mineral Waxes; Iron & Steel; Ores, Slag & Ash; Aluminium etc. Trade date for the past five FYs are as below:

(Value in US$ millions)

(Source: DGCIS, Kolkata)

Important economic & commercial visits:

17. Mr. Mark Ramkerrysingh, Chairman, Elections and Boundaries Commission and Mr. Inshan Meajohn, CEO, T&T ICT Co. Ltd. (iGovTT) attended the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Summit held in Pune from June 12-14, 2023, in follow-up to India-COFCOR Meeting of April 21, 2023 held in Georgetown (Guyana). The T&T Ministry of Digital Transformation sent delegations to attend the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai (Sep 5-7, 2023) and the Resident Leaders’ Programme conducted by Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure, Bengaluru (Nov. 2023). To promote UPI platform in the Caribbean region, a two-member National Instruments of Payment Ltd. (NIPL) delegation visited Port of Spain in May 2023 and held meetings with various stakeholders. NIPL (NPCI International Payments Ltd.) delegation visited T&T in April and July 2024 to further discussions with Ministry of Digital Transformation, and other government agencies, on bringing digital infrastructure in T&T.

18. Trade & Investment Convention 2023: Mission participated in Trade and Investment Convention (TIC) organized by Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association in Port of Spain from July 11-14, 2023, and projected India’s potential strengths, particularly in the toursim sector and received Ms. Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry apart from business visitors.

19. NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) of India exchanged an Agreement with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Trinidad & Tobago on September 26, 2024 for developing a real-time and efficient Payments Platform similar to India’s flagship Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Trinidad & Tobago is the first country in the Caribbean region to adopt the UPI platform. The event at the MDT in Port of Spain was graced by Dr Alvin Hilaire, Governor of the Central Bank of Trinidad & Tobago.

People-to people Relations

20. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) and Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards (PBSAs): There has been active participation of the Indian diaspora in the PBDs. Late Prime Minister Basdeo Panday was conferred upon PBSA in 2005 in Mumbai and he also attended the PBD in New Delhi in 2008. In 2008, National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) was awarded PBSA. PM Kamla Persad Bissessar attended PBD 2012 in Jaipur as Chief Guest and was conferred with the PBSA. The following dignitaries have been conferred upon PBSA: Senior Minister Dr. Lenny Saith PBSA (New Delhi, 2010), former Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Winston Dookeran (Bengaluru, 2017), and Justice Frank Seepersad (Indore, 2023).

21. Vishwa Hindi Sammelan: EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar honoured Shri Ravindra Nath Maharaj (Ravi ji) with Hindi Samman at the 12^th Vishwa Hindi Sammelan held in Nadi, Fiji from February 15-17, 2023. Prior to this, the 5^th Vishwa Hindi Sammelan was organized in Port of Spain in April 1996.

22. Know India Programme (KIP): There has been active participation of Indian diaspora youth from T&T in KIP over the years. About 250 members of Diaspora have, so far, visited India under the Programme. A total of 41 youth of Indian diaspora visited India under the ‘Know India Programme’ in the period 2023-24.

Cultural Relations

23. The Mission has been engaged in active cultural diplomacy through its Cultural Wing, Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Cooperation (MGICC), which was set up in January 1997 under the Cultural Exchange Programme. Regular classes are conducted by India-based and local teachers in Indian classical music, dance, vocal and Yoga in several centres across the country. Presently, the Institute has one India-based teacher each for vocal music, Bharatanatyam and a Teacher of Indian Culture (TIC) for Yoga. The Institute organizes a variety of cultural events like music and dance performances, Kala Sandhya, exhibitions and workshops.

24. An ICCR-sponsored 10-member Kathak dance troupe led by Ms. Rani Khanam gave performances in Port of Spain in June 2023. A folk dance troupe from India performed at MGICC on the occasion of Holi in April 2024, attended by the diplomatic community, and Indian diaspora. International Yoga Day is a mega event which attracts participation by hundreds of Yoga enthusiasts from all cross-sections of the society. The 9^th International Day of Yoga (IDY) was organized at the iconic Chaguaramas Boardwalk on June 19, 2023. The 10^th IDY is being organized in various places in Trinidad, Tobago, Grenada and Dominica. Other important events, including ITEC Day, Ayurveda Day, World Hindi Day, Diwali and Holi celebrations, etc., are organized regularly with wide participation of people.

25. Two senior journalists from T&T attended familiarization trip organized by Public Diplomacy Division of Ministry of External Affairs, in February 2024.

26. Promotion of Hindi and Sanskrit: The prominent presence of Hindi in the local media, both radio and television, has added to the interest and there is a marked growth in the desire among local population cutting across gender, age and ethnicity to acquire proficiency in Hindi. The Mission organizes Hindi classes in various parts of the country. The Mission has also been cooperating with various local Hindi teaching institutions and cultural bodies through grants and dissemination of Hindi reading materials and software. At present, 10 local Hindi teachers are imparting Hindi learning classes in different places in Trinidad. Around 340 students registered for Hindi and Sanskrit classes during the 2022-23 session and around 240 students have registered in the 2023-24 academic session. In 2023, four students from T&T were sent to Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, Agra for a one-year certificate course.

27. International Regional Hindi Conference (IRHC) in collaboration with Hindi Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago Inc. (Hindi Nidhi), the National Council for Indian Culture (NCIC) and the National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) was organized at Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Cooperation, Mt. Hope on September 6-8, 2024.The Conference brought together eminent scholars, linguiusts and enthusiasts of Hindi language and Indian culture from India as well as the Caribbean region including Guyana and Suriname.

Indian Community

28. The Non-Resident Indian Community in Trinidad and Tobago constitutes about 600 persons engaged in business, medicine, teaching and other professions. The Mission is in close contact with the Indian Diaspora (about 42% of the total population of T&T) and has been actively promoting various schemes of the Government of India meant for them such as OCI scheme, KIP, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA), etc.

Consular Services

29. The T&T Government has launched new e-Visa and e-Student Permit Online Portals at the Immigration Division, Ministry of National Security with effect from April 26, 2024. T&T is also included in India’s e-Visa facilities. The Mission organizes Open House for redressal of various grievances of applicants from T&T.

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October 2024