Jaishankar, Trinidad PM explore new ideas to boost cooperation

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held comprehensive talks with Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to explore new ideas and initiatives for expanding bilateral cooperation between India and the twin-island nation.

Jaishankar arrived in Port of Spain from Paramaribo on Friday on the concluding leg of his three-nation tour of Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago, aimed at deepening India’s engagement with the Caribbean region.

“Sat down this evening with PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her Cabinet colleagues for a comprehensive review of our bilateral ties,” Jaishankar said in a social media post on Friday.

“While delivering on the commitments made by PM Narendra Modi last year, we explored new ideas and initiatives in our bilateral cooperation,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Jaishankar joined Persad-Bissessar at an event for the distribution of Made-in-India laptops to schoolchildren, describing it as the fulfilment of a commitment made by Prime Minister Modi last year. He also concluded agreements on tourism, solarisation of the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs building, Quick Impact Projects and the establishment of an Ayurveda Chair.

Jaishankar also sampled Trinidad and Tobago’s popular street food “doubles” during his visit, with Persad-Bissessar describing it as a sign of the growing cultural bonds between the two countries.