India’s Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Pabitra Margherita believes meetings with T&T’s government were significant and are expected to strengthen bilateral ties.

The Minister has been on his first visit to this country and, speaking at a cultural programme last night at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Co-operation, he said there were discussions with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Amery Browne.

Outside of his formal engagements, Minister Margherita spoke to the commonalities between T&T and India, noting that this country feels like home away from home.

He said he observed mango trees, rains reminiscent of monsoons, a love for cricket, and street names like Bombay.

Minister Margherita also touched on the cultural similarities, expressing congratulations on the manner in which T&T celebrates Indian festivals with great enthusiasm.

In particular, he mentioned the celebration of Ramleela, as he had cut the ribbon for and viewed a Ramleela exhibition prior to the cultural programme.

The Minister further expressed pride in the achievements of the Indian diaspora in T&T.

Also speaking, Indian High Commissioner to T&T Dr. Pradeep Singh Rajpurohit further explored the cultural kinship between the countries, adding that he was amazed by how the country celebrates Divali and Indian Arrival Day.