New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday attracted MPs in Trinidad and Tobago with a mixture of hearty diplomacy and light cricket banquet during his address to the country’s Parliament. Highlighting the shared love for the game, PM Modi jokingly said, “I have to say, Indian West Indies is one of the most emotional fans of the cricket team. We are happy with them, except when they are playing against India.” His comment provoked laughter in the chamber.On his first bilateral visit to the Caribbean nation as Prime Minister, PM Modi was honored with the order of Trinidad and Tobago Republic, which became the first foreign leader to receive the country’s highest civilian honor. Accepting the award, he said, “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to your, your government and people, which honors me with the order of the Supreme National Award, ‘Trinidad and Tobago Republic’s order.’ I accept this honor as a common pride from 140 crore Indians. ,During his address, PM Modi spoke of a permanent bond between the nations, 180 years ago when the first Indian immigrants arrived in Trinidad. He said, “Indian Beats are beautifully mixed with Caribbean rhythms … from politics to poetry, from cricket to commerce – they contribute to every field,” he said.Praising the representation of women in Parliament, he said, “I was happy to see so many women members in this House. The honor for women lies deeply in Indian culture. One of our important sacred texts, Skanda Purana says that a daughter brings more happiness as ten sons. From space to sports, startups to science, education to enterprises, armed forces aviation – they are leading India for a new future in various domains.,President Christine Kangalu, who presented PM Modi with respect at a function at the President’s house, called his kindness and generosity “mythological”, especially recalling India’s vaccine donation during the Kovid -19 crisis. “That work of kindness strengthened only a long -term relationship between the governments and the people of our two countries,” he said.PM Modi was welcomed with traditional performance and enthusiastic Cheers on arrival of PM Modi. His journey, part of the five-nation tour, also includes stops in Argentina, Brazil and Namibia, which concludes with the BRICS summit in Brazil from 5-8 July.
