India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Kamla Persad-Bissessar jointly inaugurated a permanent Jaipur Foot prosthetic limb centre in Trinidad and Tobago, marking a major humanitarian and healthcare collaboration between the two countries.
The centre, launched with support from Jaipur Foot USA and Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), is expected to provide mobility support and prosthetic assistance to differently-abled individuals across Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean region.
The inauguration took place in the presence of senior officials including Trinidad and Tobago Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe and India's High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago Dr Pradeep Singh Rajpurohit.
My remarks at the launch of National Prosthetics Centre, with @PM_Kamla #TrinidadAndTobago https://t.co/LGJZJCirKC
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 10, 2026
The launch comes less than a year after the initiative was first announced during Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar's visit to New York in September 2025, where discussions around establishing a permanent Jaipur Foot facility had taken place.
Calling it a case of 'promise made, promise kept', Persad-Bissessar praised the effort and repeatedly acknowledged the role played by Jaipur Foot USA in helping turn the project into reality within months.
According to officials associated with the initiative, the facility will support prosthetic fitments, rehabilitation services, training of healthcare personnel and operational assistance during its initial years.
Addressing the gathering, Jaishankar highlighted the global impact of the Jaipur Foot programme and India's contribution to affordable prosthetic technology.
'The Jaipur Foot has become famous across the world. Hundreds of thousands, perhaps even millions, have benefitted over the years,' he said during the event.
The Jaipur Foot initiative, developed by BMVSS in India, is widely recognised for providing low-cost prosthetic limbs to differently-abled individuals globally.
Officials said the Trinidad and Tobago centre is expected to improve access to mobility care for people who previously had limited access to affordable prosthetic support in the Caribbean.
The development also reflects India's expanding engagement with Caribbean nations through healthcare partnerships, humanitarian outreach and people-centric diplomacy.
Ajay Patel, Vice President of Jaipur Foot USA and chief coordinator of the Trinidad and Tobago centre, said the project was completed in record time with support from the Trinidad and Tobago government and Indian stakeholders.
The centre is expected to begin serving beneficiaries immediately following its inauguration.
