Modi of India arrives in Trinidad and Tobago to strengthen ties on its first official visit

Port of Spain, Trinidad (AP) – Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday, with two-day trips expected to increase investment in energy, health, safety and other sectors.

This is Modi’s first official visit to a diverse Gemini Caribbean country. More than 35% of its 1.4 million inhabitants are East Indians, descendants of indentured workers brought from India during the colonial era.

Modi said on X before his trip that he “looks forward to deepening his connection with a valuable partner in the Caribbean, where we share very old cultural connections with us.”

Modi landed in the Spanish port for hours, Trinidad Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissess, a closed school and non-essential government office is a security measure designed to reduce traffic.

Modi is scheduled to meet with officials on Thursday night and speak in two parliaments on Friday, and sign several agreements.

Although many in the Hindu communities in Trinidad and Tobago were excited about Modi’s visit, the Anjuman Sunnat-ul-Jamaat Association, the largest Muslim organization in the United States, has remained. The association criticized the Modi government in a letter sent to local newspapers, saying India “incited religious intolerance and targeted the Muslim community.”

“We cannot ignore Mr. Modi’s political legacy and its impact on Muslim communities around the world,” the association said.

About 18% of the population of Trinidad and Tobago are Hindus, while 5% are Muslims.

Modi is scheduled to travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina this weekend and meet with President Javier Milei.