Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently on a visit to Russia, has been bestowed with a rare honour. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin awarded him the ‘Order of St. Andrew the Apostle’, Russia’s highest civilian award. This marks the second time Modi has received this prestigious accolade; previously, Putin presented it to him in 2019 at St Catherine’s Hall in Moscow. Nearly five years later, Modi was once again recognized for his efforts in enhancing the friendly and strategic partnership between Russia and India.
Following the award ceremony, Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude to President Putin for bestowing upon him Russia’s highest civilian honour. Modi emphasized that the honour is not just for himself but also belongs to the 1.4 billion people of India. He highlighted that it symbolizes the enduring friendship and mutual trust between Russia and India, spanning centuries. Modi praised President Putin’s leadership, noting that over the past 25 years, bilateral relations have significantly strengthened.
“Under President Putin’s leadership, mutual cooperation between India and Russia is advancing towards securing a brighter future for our people,” Modi remarked.