Guyana and Dominica have honored Prime Minister Narendra Modi with their highest awards, recognizing his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, his significant contributions to the global community, and his efforts to strengthen ties with the Caribbean nations.
During his visit to Guyana, the final stop of his three-nation tour, Prime Minister Modi received The Order of Excellence, the highest civilian honor of Guyana, from President Irfaan Ali on Wednesday.
Expressing his gratitude, Modi posted on X, “Sincerely thank President Dr. Irfaan Ali for conferring upon me Guyana’s highest honor, ‘The Order of Excellence.’ This recognition belongs to the 140 crore people of India.”
“This honor reflects your steadfast commitment to our relationship and will inspire us to advance together across all areas,” Modi said while accepting the award.
The Prime Minister dedicated the accolade to the people of India and the enduring historical ties between the two nations, according to a press release from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
He highlighted that his state visit underscores India’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the India-Guyana partnership.
“Another proud moment for India! Guyanese President @DrMohamedIrfaa1 @presidentaligy has conferred PM @narendramodi with Guyana’s highest national honor, ‘The Order of Excellence,’ in recognition of his exceptional service to the global community, statesmanship, and efforts to deepen India-Guyana relations,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) posted on X.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Modi is the fourth foreign leader to receive Guyana’s highest national award.
Earlier, on the sidelines of the India-CARICOM Summit, Prime Minister Modi was honored with the “Dominica Award of Honour” by President Sylvanie Burton of Dominica.
“Honored to receive the highest national award from Dominica. I dedicate this to the 140 crore people of India,” Modi wrote on X.
In another post, he added, “This award is a tribute to my sisters and brothers of India and symbolizes the unbreakable bond between our nations.”
“The award recognizes Prime Minister Modi’s statesmanship, his support to Dominica during the COVID-19 pandemic, and his dedication to strengthening India-Dominica relations,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated in a post.
Responding to Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit on X, Modi expressed gratitude, saying, “Your kind words have deeply touched me, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. With humility and gratitude, I accept the ‘Dominica Award of Honour.’”
He added, “You mentioned the support during COVID-19. It brings me great joy to see how our solidarity during that challenging time strengthened bonds across borders and continents. India remains committed to working closely with Dominica in the future.”
Prime Minister Skerrit, in his post, reflected on India’s crucial aid during the pandemic: “In 2021, during the darkest days of COVID-19, your generous provision of 70,000 AstraZeneca vaccines became a lifeline for Dominica.”
He emphasized that the award is more than just a symbol, calling it “a tribute to your enduring legacy of leadership, commitment to humanity, and the profound impact you’ve had on nations far beyond your shores.”
Skerrit further noted, “This gesture transcended a simple donation; it was a powerful reminder that true leadership knows no borders. It exemplified global partnership and the essence of South-South collaboration.”
“This honor also symbolizes the shared values that connect Dominica and India—our steadfast commitment to democracy, resilience in overcoming challenges, and faith in the power of unity. Today, we acknowledge that your influence reaches far beyond the oceans that separate us. Like Dominica, the world owes you gratitude for your relentless efforts to uplift humanity,” Prime Minister Skerrit remarked.
Additionally, Barbados is set to confer its highest award on Prime Minister Modi, bringing his total international honors to 19.
Dominica had announced its top award for Modi just days earlier.
A statement from Skerrit’s office highlighted that the recognition also honors India’s contributions to Dominica in healthcare, education, and information technology under Modi’s leadership, as well as his advocacy for climate resilience and sustainable development on a global scale.
The statement quoted Prime Minister Skerrit, describing the award as a token of Dominica’s deep gratitude for Prime Minister Modi’s solidarity with Dominica and the broader region.
While accepting the award, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the importance of global collaboration in addressing challenges like climate change and geopolitical conflicts. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to working with Dominica and the Caribbean to tackle these pressing issues, the statement noted.
