Port of Spain (Trinidad & Tobago), July 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered an address at the Joint Session of Parliament in Trinidad & Tobago.
00:00Prime Minister of the Republic of India to address this joint assembly.
00:05Your Excellency, Prime Minister Kamala Prasad Visayasarji,
00:32Honourable President of the Senate, Mr. Wade Mark, Honourable Speaker, Mr. Jake Devshin,
00:45Honourable Ministers, Distinguished Members of Parliament, Namaskar, Suprabhat.
00:58Good morning.
01:02I am deeply honoured to stand before you, the elected representatives of a proud democracy
01:13and a friendly nation.
01:19I bring greetings from 1.4 billion people of India.
01:27I also bring warm wishes from the people of Ghana, the country I visited just before arriving here.
01:42I am humbled to be the first Indian Prime Minister to speak to you in this iconic Red House.
01:51This historic red building has seen struggles and sacrifices of the people of Trinidad and Tobago for freedom and dignity.
02:07Over the past six decades, it has stood strong as you build a just, inclusive and prosperous democracy.
02:25Friends, the people of this great nation have chosen to remarkable women leaders, the President and the Prime Minister.
02:47and the Prime Minister.
02:51They proudly call themselves daughter of the Indian diaspora.
03:08They take pride in their Indian heritage.
03:14In India, we admire their leadership, greed and determination.
03:24They are living symbols of the relationship between our countries, built on sad roots and sad dreams.
03:35Distinguished members, both our nations rose from the shadows of colonial rule to write our own stories,
03:48with courage as our ink and democracy as our pen.
04:00Today, both our nations stand as proud democracies and pillars of strength in the modern world.
04:13A couple of months ago, you celebrated the festival of democracy by participating in elections.
04:27I congratulate the people of this country for their wisdom and vision for peace, stability and prosperity.
04:54I also congratulate the newly elected members of this August House.
05:01I extend special greetings to Prime Minister Kamla Ji for forming the government once again.
05:21And I wish her continued success as she leads this great nation towards sustained growth and prosperity.
05:30Friends, when I look at the golden words of the Speaker's Chair,
05:36from the people of India to the people of Trindad and Tobago,
05:51I feel a deep sense of emotion that chair is not just a piece of furniture, but a powerful symbol of the friendship and trust between our two nations.
06:18The words express the bond that one democracy fills for another.
06:25The words express the bond that one democracy fills for another.
06:32The words express the bond that one democracy fills for another.
06:39The words express the bond that one democracy fills for another.
06:41We all know that we all know that the democracy is not just a political model.
06:48The words express the bond that one is not a political model.
06:50The words express the bond that one is not a political model.
06:51The words express the bond that one is a way of life.
06:55they put it aside to the bond that one is an oppression.
06:59The words express the bond that one is a political model.
07:04The words express the bond of humility.
07:05In India, democracy is not just a political model.
07:09In India, democracy is not just a political system, for us it is a way of life.
07:32The parliament also has some members whose forefathers were from the Indian state of Bihar,
07:41which is famous for centres like Vaishali, France.
07:48There is a natural warmth in the connection between our two countries.
07:55I must say, Indians are among the most passionate fans of the West Indies cricket team.
08:07We cheer for them with all our heart, except when they are playing against India.
08:20The relationship between our two countries is based on the foundation of centuries, old bonds.
08:30Hundred eighty years ago, the first Indians arrived on this land after a long and hard journey.
08:41Oceans away, the Indian beads blended beautifully with the Caribbean rhythm.
08:51Here, Bhojpuri found harmony with Creole.
08:59Dalpudi made devils and tabla made the steel pan.
09:18Today, the people of Indian origin are proud bearers of the red, black and white flag.
09:33From politics to poetry, cricket to commerce, calypso to chutney.
09:44They contribute to every field.
09:49They are an integral part of the vibrant diversity that you all respect.
09:56Together, you have built a nation that lives its motto.
10:04Together, we aspire.
10:08Together, we achieve.
10:14Together, we achieve.
10:22Friends, earlier today, Her Excellency, the President graciously confirmed upon me this country's
10:39highest national award, I accept it with humanity on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians.
10:58Now, with immense gratitude, I dedicate it to the enduring friendship and the ancestral ties between
11:13our two nations.
11:15Friends, I am delighted to show many women
11:28women members and members in this house.
11:33Respect for women is deeply rooted in Indian culture.
11:47One of our important holy texts, the Skanda Purana says,
11:54Dasyaputra sama kanyan dasyaputraan pravardhayan yat phalam lapate mratyam tat labhyam kanyan ekaya.
12:10It means one daughter brings as much happiness as ten sons.
12:17We are strengthening the hands of women to build a modern India.
12:31From space to sports, start-ups to science, education to enterprise, aviation to armed forces.
12:44They are leading India to a new future in various domains.
12:51Like you, we have a woman who rose from humble beginnings to become our President.
13:06Two years ago, the Indian Parliament took a historic step, which decided to ensure a 33 percent resolution
13:25for women in parliament and state assemblies.
13:32This assurance that is the coming generations, more and more women will decide the destiny and direction of the nation.
13:52Women leaders are also thriving at the grassroots in India.
13:58Around 1.5 million elected women power local governor institutions.
14:08We are in an era of women-led development.
14:15This was also one of the important themes that we furthered during our G20 Presidency.
14:27Today, India is the fastest growing major economy in the world.
14:40Every sector, every region, and every society is part of this growth story.
15:01India's growth is inclusive and people-centric.
15:08A recent report of the International Labour Organization notes that India's social security and welfare umbrella covers 950 million people.
15:28That is almost 1 billion people, which is a greater population than most countries in the world.
15:43Our vision for such inclusive growth does not stop at our borders.
15:50We see our development also as a responsibility towards others.
15:59And our priority will always be the Global South.
16:04With the same spirit, we are deepening our relations with Trinidad and Tobago.
16:23Our trade will continue to grow.
16:27We will encourage our businesses to invest more in this country.
16:33Our development partnership will expand.
16:38Training capacity, building, and skill development will keep human development as its centre.
16:50Health has been and will remain a key part of our partnership.
16:57Many Indian doctors and healthcare workers have been serving here with distinction.
17:07We are glad that you have decided to recognize Indian medical standards.
17:14This will ensure access to high-quality, affordable medicine for all.
17:22We also welcome your decision to adopt the UPI digital payment system.
17:30It is a major step forward.
17:34UPI has reversalized digital payments in India.
17:40Powered by the platform, India has become the nation with the highest number of real-time digital payments in the world.
17:52Today, in India, even the mango sellers have QR code.
18:06If you try to pay them in cash, they will ask you to use UPI because they don't have the change.
18:16We are also keen to collaborate on other digital innovations.
18:23As India develops AI tools to foster growth and development in the global south,
18:32Tinina and Tobago will be a priority nation for us.
18:37We will share our expertise in agriculture, horticulture and food processing.
18:57Machinery from India will support our agro-industry.
19:06And because development is about dignity, we will organize an artificial limb-fitment camp and differently abled citizens here.
19:23For us, there are no limits to our cooperation with you.
19:40We will always be guided by your needs and priorities.
19:51Friends, synergy between our nations holds immense promise.
20:04As a key player in the Caribbean and bridge to Latin America,
20:11Trinidad and Tobago has a great potential.
20:17I am sure that our ties will help us forge a stronger connection with the wider region.
20:28Building on the momentum of the second India CARICOM summit, we are eager to collaborate on initiatives that enhance trade and investment, build infrastructure and mobility implement, community development projects, and above all, support capacity building.
20:57Training and skill development on a large scale.
21:02Friends, I also see our partnership in a larger global framework.
21:12The scale and speed of change in the world is unprecedented.
21:20There are fundamental shifts in the nature of politics and power.
21:27Free trade is under pressure.
21:30There are growing global divisions, disputes, and disparities.
21:37The world is faced with challenges of climate change, food, health, and energy security.
21:48Terrorism remains a pressing threat.
21:53Colonial rules of the past may have ended, but their shadows linger in new forms.
22:06There are new challenges in space and cybersecurity.
22:13Artificial intelligence is unlocking the new opportunities as well as risk.
22:22The old institutions are struggling to deliver peace and progress.
22:28At the same time, the global South is rising.
22:35They wish to see a new and fairer world order.
22:40When the United Nations turned 75, there was great hope across the developing world.
22:49We hope that long-pending reforms would be realized.
22:58That their voices would finally be heard.
23:04But that hope has turned into disappointment.
23:11The voice of the developing world remains on the margins.
23:18India has always tried to bridge this gap.
23:24For India, Mahasagar, mutual and holistic advancement for society and growth across regions,
23:36is the guiding vision for the global South.
23:41Whenever we got the opportunity, we have given voice to the global South.
23:49During our G20 presidency, we brought the concerns of the global South to the center of global decision-making.
24:02During the pandemic, while caring for over 1.4 billion people, India provided vaccines and medicines to over 150 countries.
24:27In times of disaster, we have responded swiftly with aid, relief and solidity.
24:40Our development partnerships are demand-driven, respectful and without conditions.
24:52For both distinguished members, it is time for us to work together to give the Global South its rightful seat at the right level.
25:05ever, to ensure climate justice so that the burden does not fall on those who have contributed
25:27the least to the climate crisis.
25:31We consider Tiridhar and Tobago an important partner in this endeavor.
25:42Friends, our two countries may differ in size and geography, but we are deeply aligned in
25:54our values.
25:57We are proud democracies.
26:01We believe in dialogue, sovereignty, multilateralism, and human dignity.
26:14In these times of conflicts, we must remain true to those values.
26:24Terrorism is the enemy of humanity.
26:27This very red house has itself witnessed the wounds of terror and the loss of innocent blood.
26:41We must stand united to deny terrorism any shelter or space.
26:51We thank the people and the government of this country for standing with us in our fight against terrorism.
27:00Friends, our forefathers struggled, sacrificed, and had dreams of better lives for future generations.
27:13Both India and Trinidad and Tobago have come a long way on the journey to the future.
27:26We have promised our people, but we still have a lot to do by ourselves and together.
27:39All of you, as members of the parliament, have a vital role in shaping that future.
27:53From Ayodhya to Arima, from the gods of Ganga to the Gulf of Parya, may our bonds grow ever deeper and our dreams ever higher.
28:11With these thoughts, I thank you once again for this honor, as you say here, with grace and pride, respect due.
