Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Sean Sobers has reiterated the Government’s commitment to further strengthening relations between India and Trinidad and Tobago.
Speaking at a function held by the Indian High Commission on Monday evening to commemorate India’s 77th Republic Day, Minister Sobers reminded the gathering that India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s historic July 2025 visit to this country ushered in a renewed trajectory of cooperation.
“High Commissioner, I wish to publicly reiterate my commitment to and that of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to further strengthening relationships between our two countries.”
Minister Sobers noted that Prime Minister Modi’s visit represented not merely diplomacy but a “renewed trust” between the two nations, which yielded agreements in pharmacopoeia, sports, diplomatic training, and a series of critical donations, including dialysis units, sea ambulances, and 2,000 student laptops.
“Given the pleasure I had in meeting with your esteemed Prime Minister, the Honourable Shri Narendra Modi Ji last July, I am convinced that Trinidad and Tobago enjoys a synergistic relationship with India. I dare say Trinidad and Tobago has been able to draw upon this experience as well as our shared history, culture and values to develop a strong, productive and enduring partnership.”
He reminded that one of the most impactful initiatives was the Jaipur Foot Artificial Limb Camp, which fitted 800 people with prosthetics.
“We saw the staging of the 50-day artificial limb fitment camp at the Divali Nagar site. Under this project, 800 people were fitted for artificial limbs donated by the Government of India, with the prospect of a permanent artificial limb centre being established right here in Trinidad and Tobago in the future.”
Indian High Commissioner Dr. Pradeep Singh Rajpurohit used the occasion to reflect on India’s constitutional values, economic growth, and vision for continued partnership with Trinidad and Tobago.
“The conferment of the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the highest national award of this country, to the Honourable Prime Minister of India, is a testament to mutual respect and the close relationship between our two countries. A number of agreements, MOUs have been signed.”
The High Commissioner also emphasised India’s thrust to ensure local pundits and students in Trinidad and Tobago are afforded firsthand experience in India.
“With regard to the capacity building, more than 35 officials of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago have been sent in the last few months for training in India, and a batch of 10 pundits from Trinidad and Tobago have just concluded a month-long training at the Banaras Hindu University. Under the Know India programme, we are happy to send more than 30 youngsters of the diaspora to India for the familiarisation.”
Dr. Rajpurohit also recalled that T&T was the first country in the world to adopt India’s UPI digital payments platform, which he believes will make a “tangible difference” in the lives of people in Trinidad and Tobago.