New Delhi: Narendra Modi has been awarded Russia’s highest state decoration – Order of St. Andrew the First Apostle. The Prime Minister is awarded for his exceptional services in promoting a special and privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India.
The Russia Embassy in a tweet said, “On April 12, @narendramodi was decorated with the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle for exceptional services in promoting special and privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India and friendly relations between the Russian and Indian peoples.”
Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin have shared a long-standing relationship. While Modi made many successful diplomatic manoeuvrings in Western countries and also with Middle Eastern countries, he never forgot India’s oldest ally, Russia. The Russian President has reciprocated it with extending the country’s strong support in India’s fight against terrorism and in our economic success.
The Order of St. Andrew the First Apostle is the oldest and most prestigious civilian awards in Russia. It was constituted in the year 1698 when the Tsar Peter the Great was ruling the Russian Empire. During those times it was awarded to the most outstanding civilian or military merit.
The award was bestowed in honour of the first apostle of Jesus, St. Andrew, the patron saint of Russia. The award was abolished during the Communist rule and re-established in the year 1998.
A few weeks back the United Arab Emirates awarded Narendra Modi with its highest honour, Zayed Medal, for boosting relations between the India and UAE.
Narendra Modi was also awarded the Philip Kotler Presidential Award for outstanding leadership.
Last year, he received the prestigious Seoul Peace Prize in recognition for his contribution for the growth of Indian and world economies.
