A proud fact: Indian-origin politician Basdev Pandey was the fifth Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago from 1995 to 2001.
By Mewati Sitaram
Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Dr Keith Christopher Rowley and his wife Sharon Rowley were accorded a ceremonial reception by Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais and his wife Smt Rambai at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai on 16th, May 2024. The Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister is on an official visit to Mumbai to promote bilateral relations with India and to discuss the issue of opening a Cricket Academy in Trinidad.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Keith Rowley said India’s Independence paved the way for the independence of T & T. He expressed the need to further strengthen relations with India. India’s investment will be a major contribution to the development of his country. He mentioned his meeting with top entrepreneurs in Mumbai earlier in the day. He said Indian entrepreneurs were positive about investing in T & T. He also discussed the issue of starting a Cricket Academy in Trinidad.
The Governor of Maharashtra Ramesh Bais, welcoming the T&T premier, said Trinidad is the land of the great batsman Brian Lara. Trinidadian cricketers like Dwayne Bravo, Sunil Narine and Kieron Pollard are popular in India. Stating that the arrival of the first Indian in Trinidad and Tobago is completing 180 years in 2025, the Governor said the two nations have shared excellent relations for many years.
PM of Trinidad and Tobago engrossed in conversation with Governor
The Governor said India is the fifth largest economy in the world and is moving towards becoming the third in near future. He expressed the need to give new impetus to economic partnership in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, pharma, energy and ICT. India and Trinidad and Tobago are working together on digital products including Aadhaar, UPI, Digilocker, eHealth etc.
The Governor said considering that Trinidad and Tobago is a crucial part of the Caribbean marine connectivity, India has offered its capacity in ship building. India would like to share its successful scheme of bringing high quality generic medicines to the reach of the masses. The Governor also said in his capacity as the Chancellor of state-funded universities in the State, he would like to see greater academic collaboration between Indian universities and the universities of T&T.
The Governor hosted a state banquet in honour of the T & T Prime Minister and his delegation on the occasion. Many top dignitaries attended the banquet that included Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan, Minister of Sport and Community Development Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis, Administrative Attache, High Commission Charlene Ramsundar, International Relations and Protocol Officer from PMO office Kirk Francois, Deputy Press Secretary Abby Brathwaite and many more. Besides, Mumbai Police Vivek Phansalkar, IAF’s Air Vice Marshal Rajat Mohan, Additional Chief Secretary Rajgopal Deora, Maj Gen Bikramdeep Singh, Rear Admiral Manish Chada were also present.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
