On July 3, Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his first-ever official visit to Trinidad & Tobago with a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Piarco International Airport, welcomed by Prime Minister Kamla Persad‑Bissessar along with 38 ministers and lawmakers. During a state dinner, PM Modi presented two symbolic gifts: holy water from the Sangam at Prayagraj’s Mahakumbh and water from the Saryu River, alongside a replica of the newly constructed Ram Mandir in Ayodhya .

These offerings serve as a poignant cultural bridge, reflecting the deep-rooted heritage shared by India's diaspora in the Caribbean - nearly 45% of Trinidad & Tobago's population has Indian ancestry . Modi highlighted the ancestral link by referring to Persad‑Bissessar as "Bihar ki Beti", acknowledging her familial roots in Buxar, Bihar.

This visit marks the first bilateral PM-level trip since 1999 and builds upon Modi’s broader diplomatic agenda in the Caribbean, following a 2024 visit to Guyana. His tour underscores India’s strategic cultural diplomacy and commitment to strengthening ties with CARICOM nations.