Chandrikapersad Santokhi, the former President of Suriname, has passed away at the age of 67. He served as President from 2020 to 2025 and was also the leader of the Progressive Reform Party. Additionally, Santokhi had previously held the position of justice minister in Suriname.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on Santokhi’s demise, highlighting their close relationship and Santokhi’s efforts in strengthening the ties between India and Suriname. Modi praised Santokhi’s dedication to Suriname and his contributions to enhancing bilateral relations with India.
Reflecting on their interactions, Prime Minister Modi fondly remembered his meetings with Santokhi and acknowledged the late leader’s commitment to serving Suriname and promoting India-Suriname relations. Modi also mentioned Santokhi’s affinity for Indian culture and the impact of his oath-taking in Sanskrit.
Born in Lelydorp, Suriname, Santokhi belonged to an Indo-Surinamese Hindu family and was the youngest of nine siblings. His grandparents had migrated from Bihar as indentured laborers in the 19th century. Santokhi’s early career in law enforcement earned him the nickname ‘Sheriff’.
As a prominent figure of Indian descent in a country where a significant portion of the population has roots in Indian indentured laborers, Santokhi played a crucial role in strengthening ties between Suriname and India in various sectors such as trade, energy, and culture. He was honored with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman and had participated in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas as a chief guest.
