India, Trinidad and Tobago to strengthen ties in Agriculture, Health and Digitalization
India, Trinidad and Tobago recently signed six new pacts in ports of Spain to boost partnership in the fields including Agriculture, Health, Digitalization, infrastructure and sports. The pacts were signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Caribbean nation followed by bilateral talks between the leaders of the both countries. This was first visit by an Indian Prime Minister since 1999, marking a significant milestone in cooperation ties of the both countries. PM Modi was warmly greeted by Trinidad & Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Not only this, significant talks were held related to challenges like climate change, disaster management and cyber security as both countries have decided to work together in these areas.
Additionally, both leaders criticized terrorism including Pahalgam terror attack, as it pose a huge threat to peace and prosperity on a global level. The Caribbean nation have shown supported for India's permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council. In retribution, India will express its support Trinidad and Tobago's candidature for 2028-29.
A total of six pacts were signed
India and Trinidad and Tobago have signed six pacts including an pact on Indian Pharmacopoeia resulting in boosting cooperation in the area of medicines. Additionally, access of Indian products to the markets of Trinidad and Tobago will be easy. Not only this, assistance from India for quick impact projects will strengthen development cooperation. Moreover, Agreements have also been signed for sports, diplomatic training and the re-establishment of two ICCR chairs in Hindi and Indian studies at the University of the West Indies. The two countries have also agreed on cultural exchange for 2025-2028.
Increasing cooperation in Digital Sector and gifting 2000 laptops
The two countries will cooperate in implementing Indian digital public infrastructure solutions including DigiLocker to improve cooperation in the digital sector. The Caribbean nation has adopted India's UPI digital payment platform needing help in digitizing the state land registration system. Besides this, India has declared to gift 2,000 laptops for Trinidad and Tobago's education programme. Agricultural machinery worth $1 million will also be given to boost food security. Furthermore, 20 hemodialysis units and two marine ambulances will also be donated. PM Modi has also announced to organize prosthetic limb camps for 800 people in Trinidad and Tobago.
Trinidad’s place in Global South
While addressing the Trinidad and Tobago’s Parliament, PM Modi said that India will work to give the Global South its "rightful place", create a fair world order and ensure reforms in global bodies like the United Nations. Not only this, PM Modi considered terrorism as an enemy of humanity. He asserted that India and Trinidad and Tobago should stand unitedly against terrorism.
Further, he added that ensuring climate justice, so that the burden of the climate crisis does not fall on those who contribute the least considering Trinidad and Tobago a significant partner in this effort. The Caribbean nation gained independence on August 31, 1962, marking the beginning of diplomatic ties between India and Trinidad and Tobago.