Trinidad and Tobago conferred its highest civilian honour – ‘The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago’ – on Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Friday.
Award Follows Praise from Trinidad and Tobago PM
Trinidad and Tobago PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar praised PM Modi’s leadership on Thursday and announced that her country would confer its highest civilian honour on the Indian leader the following day.
The prime minister arrived in the Caribbean island nation as part of the second leg of his five-country tour. A total of 25 nations have honoured him with international awards so far.
Trinidad and Tobago conferred the award on PM Modi in recognition of his global leadership, strong connection with the Indian diaspora, and humanitarian efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic.
PM Modi Calls Honour a Symbol of Deep Friendship
After receiving the honour, PM Modi said the honour is a symbol of eternal and deep friendship between the two countries.
“I would like to express my gratitude towards the government and people for conferring me with Trinidad and Tobago’s highest civilian honour. This honour is a symbol of eternal and deep friendship between the two countries,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi Dedicates Honour to 140 Crore Indians
In a post on X, he said he was honoured to receive the award on behalf of 140 crore Indians.
“Honoured to be conferred with ‘The Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago’. I accept it on behalf of 140 crore Indians,” the prime minister said in the social media post.
With this latest announcement, PM Modi has become the first foreign leader to receive Trinidad and Tobago’s national honour. It marks a historic diplomatic milestone.
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced the award on Thursday. She called Modi’s visit a moment of shared pride and a testament to the nations’ historic bond.
Modi Arrives from Ghana After Receiving Another National Honour
This is Modi’s first-ever visit to Trinidad and Tobago as prime minister. It also marks the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to the Caribbean nation since 1999.
Modi arrived in Trinidad and Tobago after visiting Ghana. There, he was honoured with the ‘Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana’, the country’s highest national award.