India extends cultural ties with Trinidad and Tobago

Culture minister Chandresh Kumari Katoch, along with the Trinidad and Tobago authorities, has drawn up a new road map to enhance cooperation between the two countries.

"Our two countries have a long history of diplomatic relations and my visit should enable enhancement of the cultural ties and people-to-people relationships between them," the minister said in a statement Monday.

The culture minister, who visited this Caribbean island nation recently, met Lincoln Douglas, minister of arts and multiculturalism of the Trinidad and Tobago government at Port of Spain.

She also met the president and foreign minister of the country and said the discussions were fruitful.

"During this visit, I have had cordial and constructive discussions with the president of Trinidad and Tobago, the foreign minister, the minister of arts and multiculturalism," Katoch said.

"Diplomatic relations between India and Trinidad have been cordial and constructive," she added.

After several discussions with the authorities, a road map to enhance cultural cooperation has been identified.

"A new cultural agreement between the two countries will be formulated to replace the 1987 agreement so that the agreement can best capture the modern developments in the culture sector.

"Collaboration will be extended to Trinidad and Tobago authorities for setting up a sugar museum in Port of Spain," the minister said.

Katoch said that assistance will also be extended to the Trinidad and Tobago authorities for collaboration in archives maintenance.