New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Order of Oman by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik this month for his contributions to strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.
Oman’s top civilian honour was Modi’s tenth global award this year and the latest addition to the other 28 highest civilian honours from foreign nations ever since he became the PM in May, 2014. Four of the awards were the first to be received by an Indian leader.
His visit to Muscat was on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between both countries. The PM dedicated the honour to the age-old friendship between the two countries and called it a tribute to the warmth and affection between the 1.4 billion people of India and the people of Oman.
As of December, Modi has undertaken over 90 overseas visits, travelling to 79 countries, including multiple trips to the US in his three terms as the prime minister. ThePrint takes a look at the global awards bestowed on the Indian prime minister who visited 23 countries this year, so far.
The year began with the ‘Order of Freedom of Barbados’—the highest civilian order given to a foreign dignitary—conferred on the PM in March, in strengthening international cooperation and support during the COVID19 pandemic.
The announcement was made during the India-CARICOM Leaders’ Summit in Georgetown, Guyana, on 20 November last year where Barbados PM Mia Mottley praised India’s timely assistance and solidarity.
Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita received the award on behalf of the PM at the Government House in Bridgetown.
Days later, Modi attended the 57th National Day celebrations of Mauritius as the Chief Guest on 12 March where President Dharambeer Gokhool conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK) award, the highest civilian award of Mauritius, on him—a first for any Indian leader.
Next was the Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana award, the island country’s highest civilian honour bestowed on foreign leaders in April, marking a first for an Indian leader. The award was given by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, for Modi’s “enduring contribution to strengthening India-Sri Lanka friendship.”
Moving from South Asia to Europe, Modi received the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, the highest civilian honour of Cyprus, in June.
In his acceptance speech, Modi dedicated the award to the longstanding warm ties between India and Cyprus which are built on shared values and mutual trust. He further noted that the award was a recognition of India’s age-old philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, or The World is one Family, that guides its vision for global peace and progress.
July saw him being conferred with multiple awards. First, he was conferred Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana, by President John Dramani Mahama in “recognition of his distinguished statesmanship and influential global leadership.”
The PM dedicated the honour to the aspirations of the youth of India, its cultural traditions and diversity, and to the historical ties between Ghana and India, an Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement said.
“The Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago” was then bestowed for Modi’s statesmanship and for “championing the priorities of the Global South and for his exceptional contribution to strengthening the relationship between India and Trinidad & Tobago.” He is the first foreign leader to receive the highest national award of Trinidad & Tobago.
Next was Brazil’s highest honour, ‘The Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross’. Accepting the award, he talked about the “enduring bonds of friendship between India and Brazil.”
Namibia then bestowed its highest civilian award, Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis, on Modi in July, a first for an Indian leader. Accepting the award, the Prime Minister dedicated the honor to the 1.4 billion people of India and to the historic and enduring ties between India and Namibia. Prime
In December, Modi made his first bilateral visit to Ethiopia as part of his three-nation tour. There he received the ‘Great Honor Nishan of Ethiopia’, the highest award of the African country.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed conferred the honour to Modi for “his exceptional contribution towards strengthening India-Ethiopia partnership and for his visionary leadership as a global statesman”.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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