National/ International Desk
9 July
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
In a significant diplomatic gesture, Russian President Vladimir Putin officially awarded Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russia’s highest civilian honor, the ‘Order of St. Andrew the Apostle’. During the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi expressed his heartfelt gratitude to President Putin, stating, “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for honoring me with Russia’s highest civilian award.”
Modi emphasized that this honor is not just for him but for the 1.4 billion people of India. He highlighted the deep, centuries-old friendship and mutual trust between India and Russia, saying, “This award is a tribute to the unique and privileged strategic partnership between our nations. Under your leadership over the past 25 years, India-Russia relations have strengthened in every direction, reaching new heights.”
President Putin praised Modi’s significant contributions to strengthening the ties between the two countries, recalling Modi’s efforts to connect Gujarat with Russian regions during his tenure as Chief Minister. Putin acknowledged Modi’s active advocacy for extensive contacts with Russia and his efforts to elevate the India-Russia strategic partnership on the international stage.
The award ceremony underscored the commitment of both nations to a multipolar world and regional stability, working together within BRICS and the SCO frameworks.