Global community must stand united to deny terrorism any shelter or space: PM Modi

Port of Spain: Terming terrorism as the enemy of humanity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the global community must stand united to deny it any shelter or space.

In his address to the Joint Assembly of Parliament of Trinidad & Tobago, Prime Minister Modi also said that as India develops AI tools to foster growth and development in the Global South, the Caribbean nation will be a priority for it.

Underlining that there are new challenges and old institutions are struggling to deliver peace and progress, Modi said, "It is time for us to work together, to give the Global South its rightful seat at the right table." "Terrorism is the enemy of humanity. This very Red House has itself witnessed the wounds of terror and the loss of innocent blood. We must stand united to deny terrorism any shelter or space," said Modi.

The Prime Minister thanked the people and the government of the Caribbean nation for standing with India in its fight against terrorism.

"I also see our partnership in a larger global framework. The scale and speed of change in the world is unprecedented. There are fundamental shifts in the nature of politics and power. Free trade is under pressure. There are growing global divisions, disputes and disparities," Modi said.

He said the world is faced with challenges of climate change, food, health and energy security, and terrorism remains a pressing threat.

"The Global South is rising. They wish to see a new and fairer world order," he said, pushing for long-pending reforms of the global institutions.

"When the United Nations turned 75, there was great hope across the developing world. A hope that long-pending reforms would be realised. That their voices would finally be heard. But that hope has turned into disappointment. The voice of the developing world remains on the margins. India has always tried to bridge this gap," he said.

Modi said for India, MAHASAGAR - Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions, is the guiding vision for the Global South. "Whenever we got the opportunity, we have given voice to the Global South."

"During our G-20 presidency, we brought the concerns of the Global South to the centre of global decision-making. During the pandemic, while caring for our 1.4 billion people, India provided vaccines and medicines to over 150 countries...Our development partnerships are demand-driven, respectful, and without conditions," he said.

Modi said he was humbled to be the first Indian Prime Minister to speak to the people in the iconic Red House, referring to the Parliament of Trinidad & Tobago.

"Friends, when I look at the golden words of the Speaker's chair 'From the people of India to the people of Trinidad and Tobago', I feel a deep sense of emotion that the chair is not just a piece of furniture, but a powerful symbol of the friendship between our two nations," he said.

The Speaker's Chair in the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago was gifted by India in 1968. The ornate chair carries an inscription -- "From the People of India to the People of Trinidad and Tobago".

Modi, who was conferred with 'The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago’, becoming the first foreign leader to receive the Caribbean country's highest civilian honour, praised the women leaders of the Caribbean nation.

"The people of this great nation have chosen two remarkable women leaders – the President and the Prime Minister. They proudly call themselves daughters of the Indian diaspora. They take pride in their Indian heritage.

"In India, we admire their leadership, grit, and determination. They are living symbols of the relationship between our countries, built on shared roots and shared dreams," he said.

Modi said both nations rose from the shadows of colonial rule to write their own stories with courage as ink and democracy as pen.

"Today, both our nations stand as proud democracies and pillars of strength in the modern world," he said and congratulated the newly elected members of the assembly.

Modi said in India, democracy is not just a political system. "For us, it is a way of life. Your Parliament also has some members, whose forefathers were from the Indian state of Bihar, which is famous for centres like Vaishali," he said.

"There is a natural warmth in the connection between our two countries. I must say, Indians are among the most passionate fans of the West Indies cricket team! We cheer for them with all our heart, except, when they are playing against India," Modi said in a lighter note.

Modi said he was delighted to see many women members in this House.

"We are strengthening the hands of women to build a modern India. From space to sports, startups to science, education to enterprise, aviation to armed forces, they are leading India to a new future in various domains.," he said.

Today, India is the fastest-growing major economy in the world. Every sector, every region and every society is part of this growth story, he said.

"India’s growth is inclusive and people-centric...Our vision for such inclusive growth does not stop at our borders. We see our development also as a responsibility towards others. And, our priority will always be the Global South," he said.

"We will share our expertise in agriculture, horticulture and food processing. Machinery from India will support your agro-industry" he said. "For us, there are no limits to our cooperation with you." Modi said that as a key player in the Caribbean and a bridge to Latin America, Trinidad and Tobago has great potential. "I am sure that our ties will help us forge a stronger connection with the wider region."

"Our two countries may differ in size and geography, but we are deeply aligned in our values. We are proud democracies. We believe in dialogue, sovereignty, multilateralism and human dignity. In these times of conflicts, we must remain true to these values," he said.

"Our forefathers struggled, sacrificed, and had dreams of better lives for future generations. Both India and Trinidad and Tobago have come a long way on the journey to the future we have promised our people. But we still have a lot to do - by ourselves and together," he said.

This is Modi's first visit to the country as prime minister and the first Indian bilateral visit at the prime ministerial level to Trinidad and Tobago since 1999.