Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honored with 'The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago', the nation's highest civilian award, making him the first foreign leader to receive this prestigious honor.
President Christine Kangaloo of Trinidad and Tobago presented this illustrious award to Prime Minister Modi. On this occasion, PM Modi expressed heartfelt gratitude saying, “Thank you to you, your government, and the people of Trinidad and Tobago for this esteemed national honor. This award signifies the deep friendship between India and Trinidad. I accept it on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians.”
Earlier, Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced this honor, appreciating PM Modi's global leadership, his strong ties with the Indian diaspora, and his humanitarian efforts during the COVID pandemic.
Read more: PM Modi receives the highest honor of Trinidad and Tobago, speaks about the ancestors from Bihar.
The 25th International Honor
This accolade marks Modi’s 25th international civilian honor. Just two days prior, Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama had awarded him the 'Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana'. Experts believe these honors indicate his influential stature in world politics.
In June, Cyprus's President Nikos Christodoulides awarded Modi the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III at Nicosia's Presidential Palace.
Early this year, Mauritius and Sri Lanka also honored Modi with their highest civilian awards. In April, Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake awarded him the 'Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushan', the highest civilian honor for foreign leaders.
BJP versus Congress Comparison
BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya posted on X, 'History is made again by PM Modi! He receives ‘The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago’ - the Caribbean nation's highest civilian honor. He is the first foreign leader to achieve this. This makes the 25th international honor awarded to Modi by foreign governments. Comparatively, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Manmohan Singh were in power for decades yet received only 6 international honors. Yet, Congress dares to question India's foreign policies. It's ironic, given our ignorant opposition party.'
Nations like Kuwait, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Cyprus, Guyana, Dominica, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, UAE, Russia, Maldives, Bahrain, USA, Bhutan, Fiji, Egypt, France, Greece, Papua New Guinea, among others, have awarded their highest civilian honors to PM Modi. In addition, global entities like the United Nations, Gates Foundation, CERA, Seoul Peace Prize Foundation, and the Philip Kotler Award have also recognized his leadership.
Read more: PM Modi honored with Ghana’s national award, significant bilateral agreements signed.
Awarded in Mauritius and Kuwait as well
In March during the National Day celebrations in Port Louis, Mauritius's President Dharumeer Gokhool conferred the ‘Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean’ (GCSK) upon PM Modi. This was the first time an Indian leader received this honor.
In December 2024, Kuwait awarded Modi the 'Order of Mubarak Al Kabir' in recognition of his significant achievements and strengthening of bilateral ties, a symbol of friendship bestowed upon leaders and royals.
Prominent figures such as Bill Clinton, Prince Charles, George Bush, along with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, have also received similar honors.
In Guyana, President Mohamed Irfaan Ali awarded Modi the 'Order of Excellence' for his visionary policies, advocacy of developing countries' rights, exceptional global service, and commitment to India-Guyana relations.
Read more: PM Modi attends Mauritius National Day Parade, receives the highest honor expressing the centuries-old friendship...
During the India-CARICOM Summit in Guyana, Dominica also awarded PM Modi their national honor, 'Dominica Award of Honor', for his pivotal support during the COVID-19 pandemic and his dedication to fostering India-Dominica relations.
Nigeria honored PM Modi with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) during his first official visit in November 2024, marking the first time a foreign leader has received this award since Queen Elizabeth in 1969.
