 "Democracy is not just a political system, it is a way of life: PM Modi in address to Trinidad & Tobago Parliament")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday described democracy as more than just a political system for India, calling it “a way of life,” during his historic address to the Joint Assembly of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago.
PM Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the parliament of the Caribbean nation.
“I am deeply honoured to stand before you, the elected representatives of a proud democracy and a friendly nation. I bring greetings from 1.4 billion people of India, I also bring warm wishes from the people of Ghana, the country I visited just before arriving here. I am humbled to be the first Indian Prime Minister to speak to you at this iconic red House."
VIDEO | Port of Spain: Addressing a joint session of Trinidad & Tobago's Parliament, PM Modi (@narendramodi) says, "I am deeply honoured to stand before you, the elected representatives of a proud democracy and a friendly nation. I bring greetings from 1.4 billion people of… pic.twitter.com/xfytmG8bef
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 4, 2025
Modi’s speech delivered from the iconic Red House, the historic seat of Trinidad and Tobago’s Parliament was rich in symbolism and historical references. He lauded the building as a witness to the nation’s journey through “struggles and sacrifices for freedom and dignity,” and praised its role as a foundation of an inclusive and resilient democracy over the past six decades.
“I’m delighted to see so many women members in this house. Respect for women is deeply rooted in Indian culture. One of our important holy texts, the Skanda Purana, says that one daughter brings as much happiness as ten sons. We are strengthening the hands of women to build our modern India. From space to sports, startups to science, education to enterprise, aviation to armed forces - they are leading India to a new future in various domains."
Impact Shorts
More ShortsIn a heartfelt tribute to the Indian diaspora in the Caribbean, PM Modi highlighted the pride shared by Trinidad and Tobago’s top leaders in their ancestral roots.
Drawing parallels between the histories of the two nations, the Prime Minister said, “Both of our nations rose from the shadows of colonial rule to write our own stories with courage as our ink and democracy as our pen.”
“Colonial rules of the past may have ended, but there shadows linger in new forms. There are new challenges in space and cyber security. Artificial Intelligence is unlocking new opportunities as well as risk. The old institutions are struggling to deliver peace and progress, at the same time Global South is rising."
Reinforcing the strength of democratic values, PM Modi said, “Today, both our nations stand as proud democracies and pillars of strength in the modern world.”
The speech was part of the second leg of PM Modi’s five-nation tour and followed his visit to Ghana. His address was widely seen as an effort to bolster India’s ties with the Caribbean region, deepen historical bonds with the Indian diaspora, and promote democratic solidarity on the global stage.
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