Excellency, Li Keqiang,

Members of the Press,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me start by expressing my deep gratitude to President Xi, Premier Li and the people of China for the exceptional welcome and hospitality.

Iam very grateful to President Xi for his special gesture of hosting me in Xian; and, for showing me the city's extraordinary heritage. It is a treasure of the world.

Xian is also a symbol of our ancient spiritual and cultural links. I havea personal connection with Xian through Monk XuanZang. He visited my hometown 1400 years ago.

I am pleased to visit China in the first year of my Government.This is one of our most important strategic partnerships.

The reason is obvious. The re-emergence of India and China and their relationship will have a profound impact on the two countries and the course of this century.

Our relationship has been complex in recent decades.

But, we have a historic responsibility to turn this relationship into a source of strength for each other and a force of good for the world.

We are committed to set a new direction between the two largest Asian countries.

I believe that my discussions with President Xi and Premier Li have advanced our relationship in that direction.

Our conversations were candid, constructive and friendly. We covered all issues, including those that trouble smooth development of our relations.

I stressed the need for China to reconsider its approach on some of the issues that hold us back from realizing full potential of our partnership. I suggested that China should take a strategic and long term view of our relations. I found the Chinese leadership responsive.

On the boundary question, we agreed that we continue to explore a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution. We both reiterated our strong commitment to make all efforts to maintain peace and tranquility in the border region.

I found sensitivity to our concerns on this issue; and, interest in further intensifying confidence building measures. I also reiterated the importance of clarification of Line of Actual Control in this regard.

I sought tangible progress on issues relating to visa policy and trans-border rivers. I also discussed some of our regional concerns.

We agreed that as we move ahead, we should be sensitive to each other's interests; strengthen mutual trust and confidence; continue to manage our differences with maturity;and, seek solutions to outstanding issues..

Our decision to enhance strategic communication and coordination on our region is especially significant.

Bilateral cooperation was a very important part of our discussion. We have set a high level of ambition for our economic partnership. We see enormous bilateral opportunities and many similar challenges, like urbanization.

We are pleased with the progress on the commitments from the Summit last September.

This includes cooperation in the Railways, where we have identified specific projects, and the two Chinese industrial parks in Gujarat and Maharashtra. I am pleased that the two chief ministers are here with me.

Both leaders were very supportive about increased Chinese participation in our Make in India mission and infrastructure sector. In Shanghai tomorrow, we will see over twenty ventures in the private sector take concrete shape.

President Xi and Premier Li were very receptive to the specific concerns I had raised on our growing trade deficit. We look forward to early impact on the ground. We have agreed to create a high-level task force to develop a strategic road-map to expand economic relations. It will cover a broad range of areas including Infrastructure, IT, Pharma, Agriculture and Manufacturing.

An area of high priority for us is people-to-people contacts. Indians and Chinese don't know each other well, much less understand each other.

We have decided to take the relationship out of the narrow confines of governments in the national capitals to states, cities and our people.

For the first time, India has launched a State and Provincial Leaders' Forum with any country. This is consistent with my firm commitment to cooperative federalism in India.

This is the “Year of India” in China; the next one will be the “Year of China” in India. This will expand tourism between our two countries.

We are establishing a Centre for Gandhian and Indian Studies in Shanghai, a Yoga College in Kunming and a bilateral Think-Tanks Forum.

The Nathu La route for Indian pilgrims to visit Kailash Mansarovar will become operational in June. I want to thank China for that.

Our decision to open a consulates in Chengdu and Chennai reflects growing mutual confidence and shared commitment to expand our relationship.

These steps will help make our relationship more broad-based and people-centric.

Finally, we have many common global and regional interests. For example, we have a shared interest in the outcome of the international climate change negotiations. We are both trying to strengthen regional connectivity.

Terrorism is a shared threat. Instability in West Asia matters to both of us. Peace and progress in Afghanistan benefits us both. I am confident that our international partnership will deepen.

Today, we have signed over 20 agreements, covering diverse areas of cooperation. This shows the depth and maturity of our relationship and the positive direction of our partnership.

This has been a very productive and positive visit.

I look forward to working with President Xi and Premier Li. I have welcomed President Xi's proposal to hold regular summits to realize our vision for the relationship.I have also invited Premier Li to visit India at an early date.

I look forward to Shanghai tomorrow. Thank you. Thank you, very much.

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The journey of the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago is about courage: PM Modi
July 04, 2025
QuoteThe journey of the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago is about courage: PM
QuoteI am sure you all welcomed the return of Ram Lalla to Ayodhya after 500 years with great joy: PM
QuoteThe Indian diaspora is our pride: PM
QuoteAt the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, I announced several initiatives to honour and connect with the Girmitiya community across the world: PM
QuoteIndia's success in space is global in spirit: PM

Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar Ji
Members of the Cabinet,
All the Dignitaries present today,
Members of the Indian diaspora,

Ladies & Gentlemen,

Namaskar !
Seeta Ram !
Jai Shri Ram !

Can you mark something… what a coincidence!

It is a matter of immense pride and joy for me to be with all of you this evening. I thank Prime Minister Kamla Ji for her wonderful hospitality and kind words.

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I arrived a short while ago in this beautiful land of Humming Birds.And, my very first engagement is with the Indian community here. It feels completely natural. After all, we are part of one family. I thank you for your warmth and affection.

Friends,

I know the story of the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago is about courage. The circumstances your ancestors faced could have broken even the strongest of spirits. But they faced hardships with hope. They met problems with persistence.

They left the Ganga and Yamuna behind but carried the Ramayan in their hearts. They left their soil, but not their soul. They were not just migrants. They were messengers of a timeless civilization. Their contributions have benefitted this country - culturally, economically and spiritually. Just look at the impact that you have all had on this beautiful nation.

Kamla Persad-Bissessar Ji - as the first woman Prime Minister of this country. Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo Ji - as the female President. Late Shri Basdeo Pandey, the son of a farmer, rose to become Prime Minister and a respected global leader. Eminent math scholar Rudranath Capildeo, Music Icon Sundar Popo, Cricketing talent Daren Ganga, and Sewdass Sadhu, whose devotion built the Temple in the Sea. The list of achievers goes on.

You, the children of Girmitiyas, are not defined by struggle anymore. You are defined by your success, your service, and your values. Honestly, there must be something magical in the "doubles” and "dal poori” — because you have doubled the success of this great nation!

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Friends,

When I last visited 25 years ago, we all admired the cover drives and pull shots of Lara. Today, it is Sunil Narine and Nicholas Pooran who ignite the same excitement in the hearts of our youth. Between then and now, our friendship has grown even stronger.

Benaras, Patna, Kolkata, Delhi may be cities in India. But they are also names of streets here. Navratra, Mahashivratri, Janmasthmi are celebrated here with joy, spirit and pride. Chowtal and Baithak Gana continue to thrive here.

I can see the warmth of many familiar faces. And I see curiosity in the bright eyes of a younger generation - keen to know and grow together. Truly, our bonds go well beyond geography and generations.

Friends,

I know of your deep faith in Prabhu Shri Ram.

एक सौ अस्सी साल बीतल हो, मन न भुलल हो, भजन राम के, हर दिल में गूंजल हो ।

The Ram-Leelas in Sangre Grande and Dow Village are said to be truly unique. Shri Ram Charit Manas says,

राम धामदा पुरी सुहावनि।
लोक समस्त बिदित अति पावनि।।

It means, the sacred city of Prabhu Shri Ram is so beautiful that its glory is spread across the world. I am sure you all welcomed the return of Ram Lalla to Ayodhya after 500 years with great joy.

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We remember, you had sent holy water and Shilas for building the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. I have also brought something here with a similar sense of devotion. It is my honour to bring a replica of Ram Mandir and some water from the river Sarayu in Ayodhya.

जन्मभूमि मम पुरी सुहावनि ।
उत्तर दिसि बह सरजू पावनि ।।
जा मज्जन ते बिनहिं प्रयासा ।
मम समीप नर पावहिं बासा ।।

Prabhu Shri Ram says that the glory of Ayodhya springs from the holy Sarayu. Whoever takes a dip in its water, finds eternal union with Shri Ram himself.

सरयू जी और पवित्र संगम का ये जल, आस्था का अमृत है। ये वो प्रवाहमान धारा है, जो हमारे मूल्यों को...हमारे संस्कारों को हमेशा जीवंत रखती है।

You all know that earlier this year, the world’s largest spiritual gathering, the Maha Kumbh took place. I have the honour to carry water from the Maha Kumbh also with me. I request Kamla ji to offer the holy waters of the Sarayu River and Maha Kumbh to the Ganga Dhara here. May these holy waters bless the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

Friends,

We deeply value the strength and support of our diaspora. With over 35 million people spread across the world, the Indian diaspora is our pride. As I have often said, each one of you is a Rashtradoot – an Ambassador of India’s values, culture and heritage.

This year, when we hosted the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in Bhubaneshwar, Her Excellency President Christine Carla Kangaloo ji was our Chief Guest. A few years ago, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar Ji had honoured us with her presence.

At the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, I announced several initiatives to honour and connect with the Girmitiya community across the world. We are mapping the past and bringing people closer for a bright future. We are actively working on creating a comprehensive database of the Girmitiya Community. Documenting the villages and cities in India from which their ancestors migrated, identifying the places where they have settled, studying and preserving the legacy of the Girmitiya ancestors, and working to organise World Girmitiya Conferences regularly. This will support the deep and historic ties with our brothers and sisters in Trinidad and Tobago as well.

Today, I am happy to announce that OCI cards will now be given to the sixth generation of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad & Tobago. You are not just connected by blood or surname. You are connected by belonging. India looks out you, India welcomes you, and India embraces you.

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Friends,

प्रधानमंत्री कमला जी के पूर्वज बिहार के बक्सर में रहा करते थे। कमला जी वहां जाकर भी आई हैं.... लोग इन्हें बिहार की बेटी मानते हैं

People in India consider Prime Minister Kamla ji as the daughter of Bihar.

यहां उपस्थित अनेक लोगों के पूर्वज बिहार से ही आए थे। बिहार की विरासत... भारत के साथ ही दुनिया का भी गौरव है। लोकतंत्र हो, राजनीति हो, कूटनीति हो, हायर एजुकेशन हो...बिहार ने सदियों पहले दुनिया को ऐसे अनेक विषयों में नई दिशा दिखाई थी। मुझे विश्वास है, 21वीं सदी की दुनिया के लिए भी बिहार की धरती से, नई प्रेरणाएं, नए अवसर निकलेंगे।

Like Kamla ji, there are many people here whose roots lie in Bihar. The heritage of Bihar is a matter of pride for all of us.

Friends,

I am sure everyone among you feels proud when India grows. For New India, even the sky is not the limit. You all must have cheered when India’s Chandrayaan landed on the moon. The place where it landed, we have named it Shiv Shakti point.

You must have also heard the news recently. An Indian astronaut is on board the International Space Station even as we speak. We are now working on a manned space mission – Gaganyaan. The time is not far when an Indian will walk on the moon and India will have its own space station.

हम अब तारों को सिर्फ गिनते नहीं हैं...आदित्य मिशन के रूप में...उनके पास तक जाने का प्रयास करते हैं।हमारे लिए अब चंदा मामा दूर के नहीं हैं ।हम अपनी मेहनत से असंभव को भी संभव बना रहे हैं।

India’s achievements in space are not just ours. We are sharing its fruits with the rest of the world.

Friends,

India is the fastest growing major economy in the world. Soon, we will be among the top three economies of the world. The fruits of India’s growth and progress are reaching the most needy.

भारत ने दिखाया है कि गरीबों को सशक्त करके... Empower करके... गरीबी को हराया जा सकता है। पहली बार करोड़ों लोगों में विश्वास जागा है, कि भारत गरीबी से मुक्त हो सकता है।

The World Bank has noted that India has lifted over 250 million people above extreme poverty in the last decade. India’s growth is being powered by our innovative and energetic youth.

Today, India is the third largest startup hub in the world. Nearly half of these startups also have women as directors. Nearly 120 startups have got unicorn status. National missions for AI, Semiconductor and Quantum computing are becoming the new engines of growth. In a way, innovation is becoming a mass movement.

India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has revolutionized digital payments. Nearly 50% of the world's real-time digital transactions take place in India. I congratulate Trinidad & Tobago for being the first country in the region to adopt UPI. Now sending money will be as easy as sending a ‘good morning’ text message! And I promise, it will be faster than West Indies bowling.

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Friends,

Our Mission Manufacturing is working to make India a manufacturing hub. We have become the world’s second largest mobile manufacturer. We are exporting railway locomotives to the world.

Our defence exports have increased 20-fold in just the last decade. We are not just making in India. We are making for the world. As we grow, we are ensuring that it is of mutual benefit to the world.

Friends,

Today’s India is a land of opportunities. Whether it is business, tourism, education, or healthcare, India has a lot to offer.

Your ancestors took a long and difficult journey, over a 100 days across the seas, to reach here – Saat Samandar Par! Today, that same journey takes just a few hours. I encourage you all to visit India more, in person, not just virtually on social media!

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Visit the villages of your ancestors. Walk the soil they walked on. Bring your children, bring your neighbours. Bring anyone who enjoys chai and a good story. We will welcome you all – with open arms, warm hearts, and jalebi!

With these words, I thank you all once again for the love and affection you have shown to me.

I specially thank Prime Minister Kamla Ji for honouring me with your highest national award.

बहुत बहुत धन्यवाद.

Namaskar !
Sita Ram !
Jai Shri Ram !