Prime Minister Narendra Modi awarded Guyana’s top national honor, The Order of Excellence, as he visited the country on the last leg of his three-nation tour. Mr. Modi was handed over the national distinction by Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali at a function celebrated with pomp and gaiety showcasing the strong and growing relationship between India and Guyana.
PM Modi Awarded Guyana’s Highest Honor
The prestigious honor bestowed upon PM Modi recognizes his invaluable contributions towards the global community, exceptional visionary statesmanship, and hard work towards bettering the bond between the two nations. Speaking on the honor, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described it as “another feather in the cap for India,” underscoring that it was a worldwide acknowledgment of India’s leadership under PM Modi.
In a post on the social media site X (formerly known as Twitter), the MEA elaborated: “President @DrMohamedIrfaa1 @presidentialigy of Guyana conferred PM @narendramodi with the highest national award of Guyana, The Order of Excellence, for his exceptional service to the global community, statesmanship and contribution towards deepening bilateral ties”.
PM Modi expressed his gratitude to thank President Ali, the Government of Guyana, and its people for this honor. He stated that the recognition he received was not his but was that of 1.4 billion people of India.
“I express my heartfelt gratitude to my friend President Irfaan Ali for conferring upon me Guyana’s highest award. This is a living proof of your deep commitment to our relations, which will continue to inspire us to move forward in every field,” he said in his acceptance speech.
PM Modi reminded the audience that the historical and cultural connections are shared across both India and Guyana. The relationship between the two countries is built on mutual trust and understanding. “India-Guyana relations are based on our shared history, cultural heritage, and deep mutual trust,” he added.
Welcoming President Ali, PM Modi hails the leadership of the latter for taking India-Guyana ties to unprecedented heights. “President Irfaan Ali has personally contributed to strengthening these relations. Under his leadership, we are continuously moving forward in every direction. Even in today’s discussions, I felt his affection and respect for the people of India,” he said.
Strengthening India-Guyana Partnership
PM Modi reassured that New Delhi would work closely with Guyana across different sectors. “India is ready to walk shoulder to shoulder with Guyana in every field. Our cooperation as two democracies is important not only for our bilateral relations but also for the entire Global South,” he remarked.
In his address, PM Modi underscored India’s commitment to creating a more equitable and inclusive global platform, especially for the developing world. “I dedicate this honor to the historical relationship between India and Guyana and to our unbreakable friendship,” he said, making it a moment of political symbolism.
The Prime Minister also expressed his gratitude to the people of Guyana for the warm hospitality and long-standing friendship. Posting about it on X, he said, “Sincerely thank President Irfaan Ali for conferring upon me Guyana’s highest honor, The Order of Excellence. This recognition belongs to the 140 crore people of India.”
A Milestone in India-Guyana Relations
This important milestone of conferral of The Order of Excellence on behalf of the government of Guyana does mark a new phase in the strengthening relationship between India and Guyana as it has over time seen cooperation from the two nations in areas such as trade, energy, health, and education.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Ali described PM Modi as a statesman of the world who has looked out for the cause of developing nations. “The award reflects the deep respect and admiration the people of Guyana have for India and its leadership,” he stated.
As PM Modi concluded his visit to Guyana, there left him a renewed commitment on the part of forging closer ties and enhancing cooperation in mutual interest. The honor bestowed upon him stands as testament to an abiding friendship between India and Guyana and opens up greater cooperation in the future.
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