During his visit to the Caribbean nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Trinidad and Tobago’s highest national honour- “The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago” on Friday (July 4). This marks the first time the award has been bestowed upon a foreign leader, recognising Modi’s global leadership, active engagement with the Indian diaspora, and humanitarian contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his acceptance speech, PM Modi
said, “I accept this honour as a collective pride on behalf of 140 crore Indians.” He lauded the deep-rooted friendship between India and Trinidad & Tobago, calling the award a reflection of shared values, history, and cultural ties. Quoting Saint Thiruvalluvar, he noted, “Strong nations are built on strong armies, patriotic citizens, abundant resources, effective leadership, robust defence, and friendly countries that stand together. Trinidad and Tobago is one such friend to India.”