Port Louis, March 11: Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, has conferred the prestigious 'Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean' on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This makes PM Modi the first Indian ever to receive this distinguished award. Notably, this marks the 21st international honor awarded to Prime Minister Modi by a foreign nation.
During the ceremony, PM Ramgoolam expressed his admiration, stating, "'The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean' is a fitting recognition for you, Prime Minister."
He further noted the significance of the award, mentioning that since Mauritius became a Republic, only five foreign dignitaries have been bestowed with the honor, including the "Gandhi of Africa," Nelson Mandela, who received it in 1998.
The announcement was made during a special event for the Indian community, where both the Indian and Mauritian national anthems were played in the presence of PM Modi and PM Ramgoolam.
Prime Minister Modi is currently in Mauritius for a visit, where he is also attending the National Day celebrations as the Chief Guest. This visit underscores the strong diplomatic and cultural bonds between India and Mauritius, as highlighted in an official press release from the Ministry of External Affairs.
