Moscow on Friday awarded Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russia’s highest state decoration, Order of St Andrew, for exceptional services in promoting special and privileged strategic partnership between the two countries.
The Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called is the highest order of the Russian Federation. Established in 1698, the honour was the first and highest order of chivalry in the Russian Empire. During the Soviet rule, the award was abolished. It was reinstated in 1998.
The Russian government said Modi is given the highest state decoration of Russia for “exceptional services” in promoting special and privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India and friendly relations between the Russian and Indian peoples.
PM Modi tweeted a note of thanks to the Russian people and President Putin, saying the future of India-Russia partnership is bright.
A Russian official said the ‘Order of St Andrew the Apostle’ is awarded to prominent statesmen, public figures and those working in the fields of science, culture and arts in recognition of their exceptional services in promoting prosperity and glory of Russia. The order can also be awarded to foreign heads of state for outstanding services.
The foreign awardees of the award included President of China Xi Jinping, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Geydar Aliev.
The award ceremony is usually held at the St Andrew Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace.
Here is a list of other major international awards conferred upon Prime Minister Modi
1. Zayed Medal of UAE
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced its highest decoration for PM Modi on April 4, 2019, in recognition of his “pivotal role” in strengthening ties between the two nations.
2. Seoul Peace Prize 2018
The Seoul Peace Prize Committee on October 24, 2018 conferred the 2018 Seoul Peace Prize on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Committee recognised Modi’s contributions to the growth of the Indian and global economies, crediting ‘Modinomics’ for reducing social and economic disparity between the rich and the poor.
With this, PM Modi became the 14th recipient of this coveted award.
3. UN Champions of the Earth Award 2018
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on September 26, 2018 awarded with the prestigious UN Champions of the Earth Award 2018, the highest environmental honour of the United Nations. Modi received the award on October 3, 2018 by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
4. Grand Collar of the State of Palestine
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on February 10, 2018 conferred with the ‘Grand Collar of the State of Palestine’ by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, recognising his contributions in promoting relations between India and Palestine.
5. Amir Abdulla Khan Award of Afghanistan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Afghanistan, was on June 4, 2016 conferred with the Amir Amanullah Khan Award, the highest civilian honour of Afghanistan by President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan, during PM’s visit to Herat to jointly inaugurate the Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam. PM had earlier inaugurated the new Parliament building in Kabul, built with Indian assistance, on 25 December 2015.
6. King Abdullaziz Sash Award of Saudi Arabia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on April 3, 2016 conferred with the Saudi Arabia’s highest civilian honour ‘King Abdulaziz Sash’ by King Salman bin Abdulaziz at the Royal Court of Saudi Arabia.
