Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Christine Carla Kangaloo, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and was conferred with the country's highest civilian honour.

"Our discussions covered ways to enhance the bond between India and Trinidad & Tobago, including better economic and cultural linkages," Modi stated.

In a post on X, he said: "Delighted to meet President Christine Carla Kangaloo. Our discussions covered ways to enhance the bond between India and Trinidad & Tobago, including better economic and cultural linkages."

On being conferred with the country's the highest civilian honour, PM Modi said recognition will strengthen our resolve to deepen ties with Trinidad & Tobago.

Earlier in the day, Modi addressed the Joint Assembly of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago. He is the first Prime Minister from India to address the T&T Parliament, and the occasion marked a milestone in India-Trinidad and Tobago bilateral relations.

Addressing the House, PM Modi conveyed special greetings to the Members from the largest democracy in the world. He expressed gratitude to the people of T&T for bestowing on him their highest national honour.

Elaborating on the vibrancy of Indian democracy, he noted that India, as the Mother of Democracy, had made the practice integral to its culture and life. This approach, he said, had allowed India’s diversity to flourish and prosper and all ideas to co-exist and enrich parliamentary discourses and public debates.

Prime Minister congratulated T&T on its successful democratic journey. He noted that India was privileged to stand in solidarity with the people of T&T on their path to freedom.

He further emphasized that the deep-rooted bonds between the two countries as modern nations have gone from strength to strength. Underlining the close ties between the two democracies, aptly reflected in the Speaker’s Chair gifted by India, the Prime Minister called for further enhancing bilateral parliamentary exchanges.

Expressing delight at the significant presence of women parliamentarians in the House, he highlighted the historic step taken by India to reserve 33% seats for women in Parliament and State Legislatures. He also elaborated on women leaders taking the lead at the grassroots level in India, and in this context, mentioned the 1.5 million elected women powering local governance institutions in the country.