Former Suriname Prez Chandrikapersad Santokhi passes away

Former Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi passed away at the age of 67, according to local media reports on Tuesday (Indian time). The cause of his death was not immediately disclosed.Santokhi served as the President of Suriname from 2020 to 2025 and was the leader of the Progressive Reform Party. Prior to his presidency, he held the position of justice minister and earned recognition for his work in law enforcement, which led to his nickname ‘Sheriff’.
Expressing deep sorrow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Santokhi, recalling their personal rapport and his contributions to strengthening bilateral ties. “Deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden demise of my friend… This is not only an irreparable loss to Suriname but also to the global Indian diaspora,” Modi said in a post on X.

Deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden demise of my friend and the former President of Suriname, Mr. Chandrikapersad Santokhi Ji. This is not only an irreparable loss to Suriname but also to the global Indian diaspora.

I fondly recall my many meetings with him. His tireless… pic.twitter.com/2Yy7sppwDy

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 31, 2026

Reflecting on their interactions, the Prime Minister highlighted Santokhi’s dedication to public service and his special affinity for Indian culture. He noted that Santokhi’s efforts in enhancing India–Suriname relations were evident in their meetings and recalled how the late leader won hearts by taking his oath of office in Sanskrit.
Born in Lelydorp in the Wanica district, Santokhi hailed from an Indo-Surinamese Hindu family, with roots tracing back to Indian indentured labourers who migrated from Bihar in the 19th century. He was the youngest among nine siblings and rose from modest beginnings—his father worked at the Paramaribo harbour while his mother was a shop assistant—to become one of the most prominent leaders of Indian origin globally.As a leader representing a significant Indian-origin population in Suriname, Santokhi played a pivotal role in deepening ties with India across trade, energy, and cultural sectors. He was honoured with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman and had attended the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas as a chief guest.
His oath-taking ceremony in 2020, delivered in Sanskrit—a first for a Surinamese President—symbolised the enduring cultural connection between India and Suriname and celebrated the shared heritage of their people.Prime Minister Modi extended condolences to Santokhi’s family and the people of Suriname, stating, “Om Shanti,” while remembering him as a valued friend and a bridge between the two nations.