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56 minutes ago
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that eligibility for the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card will be extended to sixth-generation descendants of Indian labourers in Trinidad and Tobago.
Speaking at a community event hosted in his honour at the National Cycling Velodrome in Couva on last evening, Modi said the decision affirms India’s enduring connection with its diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago.
“Today, I am happy to announce that OCI cards will now be given to the sixth generation of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago. We are not just connected by blood or surname. You are connected by belonging. India looks out for you. India welcomes you. And India embraces you,” Modi said.
His remarks were met with applause from a packed audience, who gathered to witness the historic visit.
Modi said India is also working on a comprehensive database to help descendants of Girmitiyas, Indians who arrived as indentured labourers, find their ancestral towns and villages.
As part of this initiative, the government is also organising global Girmitiya conferences to further connect these communities with India.
“Friends, we deeply value the strength and support of our diaspora. With over 35 million people spread across the world, the Indian diaspora is our pride. And I have often said, each one of you is a raashtreey dugdh, an ambassador of India’s values, culture and heritage.”
Modi praised Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and President Christine Kangaloo as shining examples of the global Indian diaspora both at home and globally.
He recalled Persad-Bissessar’s 2012 visit to Buxar, Bihar, the village of her ancestors, where she was embraced as a daughter of the soil.
Kangaloo was recently awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, India’s highest honour for members of the diaspora, in recognition of her contributions to public life.
Modi also lauded Trinidad and Tobago for becoming the first Caribbean nation to adopt India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which allows real-time digital payments and money transfers.
“India’s UPI has revolutionised digital payments. Nearly 50 per cent of the world’s real-time digital transactions take place in India. Now, sending money will be as easy as sending a good morning text message. And I promise it will be faster than West Indies bowling,” he joked.
Modi expressed confidence that ties between India and Trinidad and Tobago will continue to grow in the spirit of mutual respect and development.
