Trinidad & Tobago
Relationship between India and Trinidad & Tobago goes back to 30 May 1845 when the first ship ‘Fatel Razack’ carrying 225 Indian indentured workers reached the shores of Trinidad, then a British colony. Their numbers increased with subsequent arrival of more ships from India. The descendents of those indentured workers, now in their fifth generation, form nearly 42% of the total population constituting an integral part of the economic, political and social fabric of the country. The presence of a substantial population of Indian origin (the largest ethnic group) has contributed immensely to close bilateral relations between the two countries.
Cooperation to tackle the challenge of COVID-19 Pandemic
- Under the Vaccine Maitri programme, Government of India donated 40,000 doses of the COVID SHIELD vaccine to the Government and for the people of Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The medical supply was handed over in April 2021.
Capacity Building & Other Exchanges
- In order to promote and disseminate information on Ayurveda and traditional Indian medicines, an AYUSH Information Centre, sponsored by Department of AYUSH, was opened.
- The Centre was dedicated to the people of Trinidad & Tobago in October 2012.
- Facilities under ITEC programme were extended to Trinidad & Tobago in late 1960s.
- In January 2012, the Government of India increased the number of annual training slots for Trinidad & Tobago.
- Presently, India is providing 125 slots.
- Government of India has also deputed experts in Trinidad & Tobago in the fields of coconut and rice farming.
- In 2014-15, 01 student and 03 in 2012-13 were awarded ICCR scholarships.
- In 2015, 14 participants visited India, 14 in 2016, 16 in 2017, and 31 in 2018 under Know India Programme (KIP).
- Additionally, 210 members of Diaspora have visited India under this Programme.
- ICCR under its Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme offered 3 slots from 2022-23 onwards, to nationals of Trinidad & Tobago to pursue higher studies in India.
