Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Sean Sobers has welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Trinidad and Tobago and India on Friday, saying it will allow members of the diaspora to trace their ancestral lineage.
The MOU focuses on the digitisation of records held at the National Archives.
Speaking at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Cooperation on Saturday evening, Minister Sobers also highlighted the historic significance of Nelson Island, which India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, visited earlier that morning.
“Minister Jaishankar had the opportunity to visit Nelson Island, which from 1866 to 1970 was the first port of call for indentured labourers from India. For many Indo-Trinidadians, trips to Nelson Island serve as a reminder of the treacherous journey of our ancestors to an unknown land that they eventually called their home. The National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago, under the auspices of the Office of the Prime Minister, has worked tirelessly to protect and promote the history of Nelson Island.”
The MOU includes the digitisation of archival documents, allowing citizens, particularly those of Indian descent, to more easily trace their lineage.
“Similarly, the National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago, another agency under the Office of the Prime Minister, has committed to providing greater access to the records in its possession. India has lent a helping hand toward these efforts, with our two countries yesterday signing a Memorandum of Understanding on the digitisation of the records of the National Archives. Minister Jaishankar, we thank the Government of India for ensuring that its diaspora around the world, but particularly in Trinidad and Tobago, will be able to trace their lineage.”