The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago extends sincere congratulations to Shree Narendra Modi, Honourable Prime Minister of the Republic of India, and to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on its resounding and historic electoral victory in West Bengal on Monday.
This landmark achievement reflects the enduring strength of India’s democratic institutions and marks a significant political milestone, as it is the first time the BJP has secured victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections, in one of India’s most populous states, home to more than 100 million people.
India today stands proudly as the world’s largest democracy, and Prime Minister Modi’s calm, disciplined, and steadfast leadership continues to command the confidence of the Indian people during a period of profound global change and opportunity.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago looks forward to the official visit this week of Dr the Honourable Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India, as both nations continue to deepen their longstanding partnership, rooted in shared democratic values, strong people-to-people ties, and a common commitment to progress, development, and international cooperation.
@narendramodi@DrSJaishankar
LOVE TO MY UNC FAMILY 💛
Last evening at the UNC Congress I expressed gratitude and love to my UNC faithful. There is nothing more honourable than loyalty. I will forever be thankful and loyal to my loving UNC membership.
The following is an excerpt from my speech:
“This evening, as I look upon you, I feel something far deeper than political pride.
I feel love. I feel gratitude.
Because when I look at you,
I see the people who stood with our great UNC party and me.
I see the people who held faith when faith was tested.
I see the people who, for years, decades, endured insult, exclusion, hardship, propaganda, betrayal, and disappointment, and yet never surrendered their love for our party or their hope for our nation.
I say this to you plainly, fully, and with all of my heart:
Thank you.
Thank you for your loyalty through the storms.
Thank you for your prayers in the hard times.
Thank you for your faith when others doubted.
Thank you for your courage when our party was attacked.
Thank you for carrying on our party for thirty-seven years.
And thank you for carrying me, too, as your MP for 30 years and as your leader for 16 years.
I also see some new faces, young and old, who I am very happy to welcome to the party.
But I also see some people here who were around when we were last in government, whom I haven't seen for many years.
I want you to know that I see you, and while I may forgive you because that is how I am, I will never ever forget your absence during our ten hard years in opposition. You know who truly loves you when you have nothing material to give.
Between 2015 and 2025, I watched how my supporters were excluded, abused and kicked by some on the other side. I want those people who oppressed my UNC faithful to understand that I’m a different human being.
I really don’t think some people understand how different I am now.
I am not going to advantage anyone, but I will square up the account because the bad treatment of good people cannot go unanswered.
I have nothing to lose; we lost everything before, and we rebuilt it. Those who want peace will get peace; those who want war will get total political war.
But this evening is about peace and love on this 37th anniversary of our great party, and after one year in Government, I stand before you all humbled and deeply moved by your love, loyalty and support.
As you came from all over the country, I am sure you saw a yellow Poui in full blossom somewhere. The UNC rank-and-file membership, like the beautiful yellow Poui tree, is a testament to endurance.
Most striking after a dry, difficult season when the landscape is worn and faded, it bursts into a brilliant yellow that is bold, radiant, and impossible to ignore.
So too is the United National Congress. We were born out of struggle. At a time when many felt overlooked and unheard, the UNC rose to bring dignity and opportunity to all citizens.
Rooted in purpose, we have weathered many seasons and have grown to over 300,000 members and supporters. Under the leadership of the late Mr Panday, and then myself, we remain committed to fairness, equality, and a better future for all citizens.
And one day, just like Mr Panday, I will not be here again. A day will come that’s the last day we see each other, and we won’t even know it. But always remember, like the Poui in full bloom, we are resilient, we are bold, and we endure. We are the United National Congress. 37 years of purpose. 37 years of progress. Happy Anniversary, UNC Family.
UNC and Proud!”
I indicated to the media today that the ball is in the public’s court. Their behaviour will determine future changes with respect to a ban on fireworks and the revision of fines for traffic offences.
I will give the fireworks legislation a couple more months, but if there is no improvement, I will ban it outright.
Similarly, with respect to the traffic fines, if by the end of the first half of 2026 there is a decrease in road deaths, reckless driving, and drunk driving offences, I would be willing to reduce traffic fines to lower than they previously were.
From the reports I have received, compliance with the fireworks law varied considerably across communities. From my own experience over Christmas and New Year’s, I can say definitively that from my home I could hear fireworks being used outside of the permitted hours. There were also many complaints about loud music at night going into the early morning hours, which I also know to be true, as I heard music emanating from north of Philippine almost every night, sometimes up to 3 a.m.
There are some people in this country who simply cannot follow the law and have no concern for the inconvenience and harassment they impose on decent, law-abiding citizens.
The country will remain a lawless dump unless strong action is taken against these ignorant people who have no regard for their fellow citizens.
The issue is not about law enforcement; it is about a lack of civility and respect by some citizens. The police should not have to be chasing people to charge or arrest them just to get them to comply with minor laws. What example are adults who cannot follow basic rules and laws setting for their children?
My government is committed to working with law-abiding citizens to fix this country.
The lawless, entitled people simply do not care about who they kill on the roads, who they torment in their homes, or who they bully, abuse, and inconvenience day after day.
The law did not fail, the police did not fail, and good law-abiding citizens did not fail - a minority of lawless citizens failed.
My Government will restart the refinery.
On December 4, 2025, I received the Interim Report of the Refinery Restart Committee, led by former Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine.
The findings are clear: restarting the Guaracara Refinery is technically, commercially and financially viable -
even after seven years of closure and neglect.
The Committee confirms:
-Newer GOP plants remain in good condition
-Time is of the essence as further deterioration could make a restart uneconomic
- The ULSD plant is critical to capturing strong regional demand
A restart will create major jobs, contractor opportunities, foreign exchange, and revitalise fenceline communities
Trinidad & Tobago can once again become a leading regional supplier of refined products
I have directed the Ministry of Energy to evaluate the Report and present the best restart options for Cabinet consideration.
The Guaracara Refinery is a national asset with enormous potential for economic growth, employment, and energy security.
A final feasibility and restart recommendation will be submitted early in 2026.