Russia confers PM Modi with highest civilian award for role in boosting Indo-Russia ties

Russia on Friday announced it had honoured Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Order of St Andrew the Apostle, the highest order of the Russian Federation, for promoting partnership and friendly relations between the two countries.

Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi. Image: Twitter (@narendramodi)

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been honoured with Russia's highest state decoration, the Order of St Andrew the Apostle, for his role in promoting close ties between the two countries. The award comes days after the United Arab Emirates announced conferring Modi with 'The Order of Zayed'. Modi has been conferred with the award for exceptional services in promoting special and privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India. "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 people," the Russian Embassy in India tweeted. The Order of St Andrew the Apostle is the highest order of the Russian Federation. Modi thanked Vladimir Putin for the award and said the Russian President "remains a source of great strength for the India-Russia friendship". "Honoured to receive this prestigious award. I thank President Putin and the people of Russia. Foundations of India-Russia friendship are deep & the future of our partnership is bright. Extensive cooperation between our nations has led to extraordinary outcomes for our citizens," Modi tweeted. "President Putin remains a source of great strength for the India-Russia friendship. Under his visionary leadership, bilateral and multilateral cooperation between our nations has scaled new heights.," he said. Last week, the United Arab Emirates conferred the country's highest civilian award "The Order of Zayed" on Narendra Modi for boosting bilateral relations between the two countries. Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had described Modi as a "dear friend" and said he had played a pivotal role in enhancing bilateral ties. "We have historical and comprehensive strategic ties with India, reinforced by the pivotal role of my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who gave these relations a big boost. In appreciation of his efforts, the UAE President grants him the Zayed Medal," the Crown Prince said in a tweet. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj expressed happiness at the announcement and said India now had best-ever relations with the Islamic world and that Modi had played a stellar role in ushering in a new era of strategic partnership with the UAE. Modi has already been conferred Saudi Arabia's highest civilian honour - the King Abdulaziz Sash. The award, named after Abdulaziz Al Saud, the founder of the modern Saudi state, was presented to Modi during his visit to the country in 2016. (with inputs from agencies)