Latest news with #OrderoftheMostAncientWelwitschiaMirabilis
The Print
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
It's raining global awards for PM Modi. He's bagged 13 in 3rd term alone, a whopping 27 since 2014
In the last week, the Indian prime minister has received international honours from Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Brazil,besides Namibia. He also received the key to the city of Buenos Aires during his visit to Argentina. 'I humbly accept this honour on behalf of 140 crore Indians…I dedicate this award to the people of Namibia and India, to their continued progress and development, and to the enduring strength of our unbreakable friendship,' Modi said during his acceptance speech. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with his 27th international honour Wednesday—the 'Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis'—during his visit to Namibia. This is the fourth award he has received in the past week, and the 13th since the start of his third term in June 2024. Starting with Mauritius, Modi has received an award during almost every visit to a foreign country this year, including Sri Lanka and Cyprus before his current five-nation visit. These awards are given for various reasons, but are considered an important marker of the influence the individual has had on building ties between the two countries. For example, the citation of the award from Namibia reads, 'His leadership, defined by technological innovation, economic growth, social and climate justice, and international diplomacy, transcends the borders of India.' Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said in the conferment of the award, 'Narendra Modi, who has significantly contributed to socio-economic development and the promotion of peace and justice in Namibia and globally.' The award has been conferred on Modi's first trip to the South West African nation. The first of the four awards in the past week conferred on him was the 'Order of the Star of Ghana'. Conferred on 2 July, it was given in recognition of Modi's 'distinguished leadership, contribution to global development and deep commitment to strengthening ties between Ghana and India'. Some of the other foreign leaders to receive the Ghanaian award are Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan and King Charles. The next one was conferred during the visit to Trinidad and Tobago—the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. A couple of days later, Modi received the 'Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross' by the President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula de Silva. Also Read: Modi makes diplomatic push in Africa, says continent must not be just a 'source for raw materials' From West Asia to Latin America During his first two terms as prime minister, Modi was conferred with 14 international honours, primarily from West Asian nations, the neighbourhood and the Pacific Island States. A couple of Western nations, including the US, Greece and France, were some of the other nations to confer honours upon him. His first international honour in 2016 came in from Saudi Arabia, the 'Order of King Abdulaziz', followed by the 'State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan' from Afghanistan the same year. In 2018, he received the 'Grand Collar of the State of Palestine Award' during a visit to the city of Ramallah, where the Palestinian Authority is currently headquartered. The Palestine visit was the first official visit by an Indian prime minister to the West Asian nation. India has recognised the State of Palestine since 1988, and hosts an embassy in New Delhi. In 2019, the Indian Prime Minister received a raft of international honours, including 'King Hamad Order of Resistance' from Bahrain, the 'Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin' from the Maldives, and the 'Order of Zayed Award' from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). That same year, Russia announced its decision to confer the Order of St. Andrew on Modi. The Indian Prime Minister received the award during his visit to Russia last year. In 2020, US President Donald J. Trump had awarded Modi with the US Legion of Merit—a decoration created specifically for foreign citizens in 1942. In 2021, Bhutan conferred its highest civilian award, the 'Order of Druk Gyalpo' on him, which he received last year. The prime minister received a number of awards in 2023, including the 'Grand Cross of the Order of Honour' from Greece during his state visit. Other honours conferred on him that year were the 'Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour' from France, the 'Order of the Nile' from Egypt, the 'Ebakl Award' from Palau, the 'Order of Logohu' from Papua New Guinea, and the 'Companion of the Order of Fiji'. In 2024, Modi was conferred with a number of honours from the Caribbean nations during his visit to the Guyanese capital of Georgetown in South America for the India-CARICOM Summit. He was conferred with the 'Dominica Award of Honour' from Dominica, the 'Order of Freedom' from Barbados and the 'Order of Excellence' from Guyana. Before travelling to South America, the Indian Prime Minister made a visit to Nigeria, where he was conferred with the 'Order of the Niger' in November 2024. A month later, in December, he was conferred with the 'Order of Mubarak the Great' from Kuwait during his visit to the West Asian nation. In April this year, Sri Lanka conferred the 'Mitra Vibhushana' on Modi, the highest civilian award given to foreigners. Also, in June, during a visit to Cyprus, he was conferred the 'Order of Makarios III'. While the awards are a recognition of the individual's contribution to various areas, it does not necessarily change the course of diplomacy between nations. (Edited by Mannat Chugh) Also Read: Bihar ki beti in Trinidad & Tobago, Madhubani in Argentina—Modi's poll messaging on foreign tour
The Print
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Modi makes diplomatic push in Africa, says continent must not be just a ‘source for raw materials'
New Delhi has opened at least 17 new missions in Africa since 2018, and successfully pushed for the inclusion of the African Union (AU) in the G20 during India's presidency of the grouping in 2023. Modi's Africa push comes as India seeks to expand its diplomatic footprint on the continent, where China has invested billions of dollars in infrastructure and mining projects in exchange for access to natural resources. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday pitched for India as an alternative development partner for Africa, calling for a future marked by dialogue, equity and cooperation in a message seen as a veiled contrast with China's resource-driven engagement with the continent. 'In the 21st century, India's development lights a path, showing that the Global South can rise, lead, and shape its own future. The message is, You can succeed—on your own terms, without losing your identity,' Modi said in his address to the National Assembly of Namibia. 'For this message to echo louder, we must act together. Let us create a future defined not by power, but by partnership. Not by dominance, but by dialogue. Not by exclusion, but by equity,' he added. The prime minister was in Namibia for a one-day visit, the first by an Indian leader to the South West African nation since President Pranab Mukherjee's state visit in 2016. The visit was the last leg of the Modi's five-nation tour that covered Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina and Brazil before arriving in Windhoek. In Windhoek, Modi met with the President of Namibia, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, and later addressed the National Assembly. The Indian leader was awarded Namibia's highest civilian honour, the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis. This is the fourth state award conferred on Modi during the five-nation visit. The visits to Ghana and Namibia build on his visit to Nigeria last year, in an attempt to diplomatically strengthen India's position in a continent that has seen the entrance of China and Russia as developmental partners in recent years. France, the US and the UK, all long-standing partners in Africa, have recently seen their influence decline. While Modi did not mention China in his speech, the spectre of Beijing's reach in Africa hangs over Indian diplomacy in the continent. In his speech, the prime minister highlighted the $12 billion India has invested in developmental projects in Africa. 'But its real value is in shared growth and shared purpose. We continue to build local skills, create local jobs, and support local innovation,' said Modi. He added that Africa 'must not be just a source of raw materials'. Beijing, for nearly two decades, has lent heavily to African nations in complex deals that give access to natural resources in specific nations. Between 2000 and 2021, China lent roughly $56.9 billion to 19 emerging economies across the world for mining projects in minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements (REEs), according to AidData. As early as 2008, China signed a resource-for-infrastructure (RFI) deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Beijing's Export-Import (Exim) Bank of China agreed to $5.6 billion in development funding in return for its mining companies to pick up a majority stake in a joint venture – Sino-Congolaise Des Mines (Sicomines SARL). Exim Bank provided a further $2 billion in financing for Sicomines to build a copper-cobalt mine in the Lualaba province in DRC. This mining site is said to have roughly 10 per cent of the total copper and cobalt reserves in the DRC, according to AidData. Such deals are common across the continent, a point that Modi tried to underline during his address. 'Africa must lead in value creation and sustainable growth. That is why we fully support Africa's Agenda 2063 for industrialisation. We are ready to expand our cooperation in defence and security. India values Africa's role in world affairs,' Modi said. 'As two nations forged in the fires of freedom, let us now dream and build a future of dignity, equality and opportunity. Not just for our people, but for all of humanity,' he added. Also read: UPI to Ayurveda, PM Modi's Ghana visit will unlock new trade frontiers for India Defence, UPI & Cheetahs Defence was a key topic of discussion between Prime Minister Modi and President Nandi-Ndaitwah. 'With the prime minister's visit, one of the highlights is that we are taking our relations to a higher strategic level. And by that, I mean that defence or critical minerals are some of the areas that were discussed. In defence, Namibia is interested in the procurement of equipment from India. And we offered them a line of credit, especially for defence,' Rahul Shrivastava, India's High Commissioner to Namibia, said Wednesday at a special press briefing. 'There are a few more points in defence. For example, we will be donating some equipment. One is a simulator for their training schools. There's also some infrastructure, IT equipment for their training schools,' he added. The African nation also translocated its cheetahs to India in 2022, as New Delhi sought to bring the animal back into its ecosystem. India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is set to be launched in the South West African nation later this year. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in April 2024 signed a licensing agreement with the Bank of Namibia, the first of its kind. During the visit, it was announced that the digital payments platform will be adopted soon. Two agreements were signed in entrepreneurship and health, while Namibia announced that it shall be joining two Indian led global organisations—the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the Global Biofuel Alliance. (Edited by Sugita Katyal) Also read: Bihar ki beti in Trinidad & Tobago, Madhubani in Argentina—Modi's poll messaging on foreign tour
Hans India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
PM Modi arrives in Delhi after concluding 'productive and successful' 5-nation tour
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in India on Thursday morning after wrapping up a highly productive and successful five-nation tour to Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), PM Modi's five-nation visit was a "productive and successful" tour. PM Modi has reached a significant milestone in his diplomatic journey, having now delivered 17 speeches to foreign Parliaments, matching the cumulative record of all Congress Prime Ministers before him. This achievement was marked by his recent addresses in Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, and Namibia during a five-nation tour in the first week of July 2025. This level of global engagement highlights PM Modi's position as one of the most active Indian leaders on the international stage. For comparison, former Prime Ministers from the Congress party collectively reached the same number over several decades: Manmohan Singh with seven, Indira Gandhi with four, Jawaharlal Nehru with three, Rajiv Gandhi with two, and P.V. Narasimha Rao with one. PM Modi has equalled that tally in just over a decade, signalling a shift in India's diplomatic approach. His recent tour underscores not only India's renewed connections with nations in Africa and the Caribbean but also the resonance of its voice among the Global South. In Ghana, PM Modi was awarded the Order of the Star of Ghana, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in over 30 years. Later, Brazil conferred its highest honour -- the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross -- on Prime Minister Modi. Last Friday, Prime Minister Modi became the first foreign leader to be conferred with 'The Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago', the highest civilian award of the Caribbean nation, during his two-day visit to Port of Spain. He was also conferred with Namibia's highest civilian honour, 'Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis'. This is the 27th global honour for PM Modi, the fourth during the ongoing five-nation visit and the second in less than 24 hours. In Trinidad & Tobago, he addressed Parliament during celebrations marking 180 years of Indian arrival, referencing India's enduring support for fellow developing nations. In Trinidad & Tobago, he stood before a Speaker's Chair gifted by India in 1968, calling it a reminder of friendship that has stood the test of time. Namibia's Parliament gave him a standing ovation as he spoke of democratic values, technological partnerships, and shared aspirations in health and digital infrastructure. Over the years, PM Modi has addressed a diverse set of legislative bodies. In Namibia, chants of "Modi, Modi" filled the Parliament chamber as he received the country's highest civilian honour. This landmark achievement isn't just a personal accolade; it is a reflection of India's evolving presence in global diplomacy. As the country prepares to lead the BRICS bloc in 2026 and strengthens strategic ties across regions, its message of partnership and progress is resonating louder than ever.
United News of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
PM Modi returns after five-nation tour
New Delhi, July 10(UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Palam Airport in Delhi today after concluding a high-profile diplomatic visit across five nations- Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia. The week-long visit, which began on July 2 and concluded on July 9, underscored India's growing global outreach and strategic partnerships across continents. Namibia was the final stop of his five-nation visit. "A highly productive & successful 5-nation tour to Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia concludes," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a post on X. PM Modi addressed the Parliament of Namibia, where his speech was met with a standing ovation from the members, marking a symbolic end to his diplomatic engagements on this tour. With his address in Windhoek, PM Modi reached a significant milestone in his foreign policy journey, delivering his 17th speech in a foreign Parliament. This achievement matches the cumulative record of all Congress Prime Ministers before him, highlighting his active role in parliamentary diplomacy. The visit featured a range of bilateral meetings, agreements on development cooperation, and discussions on global south solidarity, climate action, and trade. PM Modi also attended 17th BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro during which Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly advocated for comprehensive reforms in global institutions, highlighting the persistent marginalization of the Global South. He criticized the "double standards" in areas like climate finance, sustainable development, and security, where the interests of developing nations have been overlooked. He praised BRICS' adaptability, citing the inclusion of new members like Indonesia, and congratulated the country's leader President Prabowo. Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to global welfare, lauded Brazil's leadership under President Lula, and called for a multipolar, inclusive world order. PM Modi was also conferred with Brazil's highest civilian honour, the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross. He was also conferred with Namibia's highest civilian award, 'Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis'.This is the 27th international honour bestowed upon Prime Minister Modi by a foreign government since he assumed office in May 2014. UNI AAB RKM
Hans India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
PM conferred Namibia's highest civilian award
Windhoek: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Wednesday conferred with Namibia's highest civilian award, the 'Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis'. The award was presented by Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. Addressing a gathering after being conferred with the honour, PM Modi said, "Namibia's Welwitschia, after which this award is named, is not an ordinary plant." 'It is like an elder in the household, one who has witnessed the passage of time. It symbolises Namibia's struggle, courage, and culture. 'It stands as a witness to the unbreakable friendship between India and Namibia. I feel proud to be associated with it. I dedicate this award to the people of India and Namibia, who continue to progress together, and to the friendship between our two nations.' India and Namibia have stood by each other since the time of their independence, he said. 'Ours is a friendship that is time-tested and connected by shared values and dreams of a better future. In the times to come, we will keep working closely and walking together on the path of development,' the Prime Minister said. PM Modi is the first Indian leader to be given this award, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release.
