PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AFP) — Trinidad and Tobago on Friday bestowed its highest honour on visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is seeking to strengthen New Delhi’s ties with the Caribbean and Latin America.

Modi arrived Friday in the country, where more than a third of the population is of Indian descent.

President Christine Carla Kangaloo gave him the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago at a ceremony at President’s House in St Ann’s, just outside the capital, Port of Spain — the first time a foreign leader was so honoured.

“This honour is a symbol of the deep and eternal friendship between our two countries,” Modi said, according to an official translation.

Relations between India and Trinidad and Tobago date back to 1845, when indentured Indian labourers first arrived to work on sugar and cocoa plantations under British colonial rule, following the end of slavery.

Between 1845 and 1917, more than 140,000 labourers settled in the Caribbean nation.

The Indian community is now the country’s largest ethnic group, at 35.4 per cent of the population of 1.4 million. Black Trinidadians are the second largest group at 34.2 per cent.

“It is a matter of great pride that the Indian community here continues to preserve our shared traditions, culture and customs with such care and devotion,” Modi said.

He called Kangaloo and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar “the biggest brand ambassadors of this community.”

“Our relationship carries the excitement of cricket and the flavor of Trinidad pepper,” Modi said, calling Trinidad and Tobago a vital partner for New Delhi.

“India and Trinidad & Tobago rose from the shadows of colonial rule to write our destiny of progress. Our nations stand tall as proud democracies and pillars of strength in the modern world,” Modi wrote on X.

“It’s high time we all work together to give the Global South its rightful seat at the high table.”

During his time in Port of Spain, Modi addressed the Trinidadian Parliament and signed memorandums of understanding with Persad-Bissessar.

Devant Maharaj, a former government minister and leader of the nation’s largest Hindu organisation, called Modi a “hero” and hailed the visit.

But Trinidad’s largest Muslim organisation questioned the decision to honor Modi, citing his human rights record.

He will next visit Argentina and Brazil, where a BRICS summit will take place on Sunday and Monday.