On Thursday, July 3, 2025 (local time), Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented the holy water from the Sangam and the Sarayu River—collected during the Mahakumbh—as well as a replica of the Ram Mandir to Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

During an address to the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago, PM Modi spoke of Bihar’s rich historical and cultural heritage and commended the strength and resilience of the Indian community abroad. Referring to Persad-Bissessar as a "daughter of Bihar," he highlighted her ancestral roots in the Indian state and invited her to offer the sacred water from the Sarayu and Mahakumbh to the Ganga Dhara in the Caribbean nation.

PM Modi’s ongoing five-nation tour has underscored ancestral links between Persad-Bissessar and Buxar, Bihar—a place she visited in 2012. "People regard her as Bihar’s daughter," Modi said, adding, “Earlier this year, the world witnessed the Mahakumbh, the largest spiritual congregation. I have the privilege of bringing its sacred water, and I ask Kamla ji to offer the holy waters to the Ganga dhara here.”

Persad-Bissessar also addressed the gathering of Indian-origin citizens at the event. Modi was officially welcomed at Piarco International Airport with a ceremonial Guard of Honour, where he was received by Persad-Bissessar, 38 ministers, and four Members of Parliament.

This visit marks PM Modi's first trip to Trinidad and Tobago as Prime Minister and is also the first visit by an Indian PM to the Caribbean nation since 1999. It came at the invitation of PM Persad-Bissessar.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the visit “historic,” highlighting that 45% of Trinidad and Tobago’s population is of Indian origin. "PM Modi arrived in the capital today and was warmly received by PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her cabinet. This visit is historic for India, as a prime ministerial-level visit is happening after 26 years. The country is home to 1.3 million people, and 45% are of Indian descent," he said.

Jaiswal added that most of the Indian-origin population in Trinidad and Tobago trace their roots back to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, particularly from Bhojpuri-speaking districts such as Chhapra, Ara, Ballia, Siwan, Gopalganj, Varanasi, and Azamgarh.

meta description: During his first visit to Trinidad and Tobago, PM Narendra Modi gifted sacred water from the Mahakumbh and a Ram Mandir replica to PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar, honoring her Bihari roots and strengthening India-Caribbean ties.