July 4 — Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, currently on an official visit to Trinidad & Tobago, was warmly welcomed with a traditional dinner hosted by Prime Minister H.E. Kamla Persad-Bissessar. The event highlighted the deep-rooted cultural and historical ties between the two nations, with a unique gesture that stood out — food served to PM Modi on a Sohari leaf, a practice cherished by the Indo-Trinidadian community.
The Sohari leaf, often used in festive and ceremonial meals, holds great significance among people of Indian origin in Trinidad & Tobago. Sharing his thoughts on social media platform X, PM Modi remarked, “The dinner hosted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had food served on a Sohari leaf, which is of great cultural significance to the people of Trinidad & Tobago, especially those with Indian roots. Here, food is often served on this leaf during festivals and other special programmes.”
Adding a spiritual touch to the occasion, PM Modi presented a replica of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya along with sacred water from the Saryu River and the Mahakumbh held in Prayagraj. These offerings served as symbolic representations of India’s spiritual traditions and its enduring bond with the Indian diaspora in the Caribbean.
Earlier in Port of Spain, PM Modi also enjoyed a vibrant performance of Bhojpuri Chautaal, a traditional folk music form native to eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Applauding the performance, he noted how it reflected the lasting cultural link between India and Trinidad & Tobago, especially among communities whose ancestors arrived as indentured laborers, known as the Girmitiya.
The visit has stirred historical memories, with Congress leader Jairam Ramesh recalling former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s 1968 visit — the first by an Indian premier to the island nation. Ramesh shared a vintage video showing Gandhi being received by then Prime Minister Eric Williams and warmly greeted by thousands lining the streets. He remarked on the continued resonance of that visit and its role in shaping India-Trinidad & Tobago relations.
The government’s recent move to issue Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards to the sixth generation of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad & Tobago has been widely welcomed. PM Modi emphasized the importance of such efforts in preserving shared heritage and strengthening ties with the global Girmitiya community.
“People of India consider Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar as a daughter of Bihar,” he noted, underscoring the emotional and ancestral links that still unite the two countries.
The ongoing engagements mark a significant step in India’s broader initiative to reconnect with the descendants of indentured Indians worldwide, reaffirming bonds of language, culture, faith, and history.
