Delhi 12 march 2025 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Mauritius’ highest civilian award, “The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean,” by president Dharam Gokhool at a ceremony in the island nation on Wednesday.
Accepting the award, Modi said, “Sisters and brothers of Mauritius, I express my heartfelt gratitude for being conferred with the highest national award of Mauritius. This is not just my honour but the honour of 1.4 billion Indians.”
PM Modi is the first Indian to receive the honour. He is visiting the island nation for two days at the invitation of his Mauritian counterpart Navinchandra Ramgoolam.
In his departure statement, Modi said, “Mauritius is a close maritime neighbour, a key partner in the Indian Ocean, and a gateway to the African Continent. We are connected by history, geography and culture. Deep mutual trust, a shared belief in the values of democracy, and a celebration of our diversity are our strengths. The close and historical people-to-people connect is a source of shared pride.”
Summary: Mauritius confers its highest civilian award on PM Modi in recognition of his contributions to bilateral ties. Watch the video here.