Moscow, Russia – In a grand ceremony held at St Catherine’s Hall of the Moscow Kremlin on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was ceremoniously presented with the Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called, Russia’s highest civilian honour. This prestigious award was bestowed upon PM Modi by Russian President Vladimir Putin in recognition of his distinguished contributions to the development of a privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India and the strengthening of friendly ties between the two nations.
A Moment of Gratitude and Pride
Expressing his gratitude, Prime Minister Modi dedicated the honour to the 140 crore Indians. “This honour is not just mine,” he said, “this is the honour of 140 crore Indians. This is the honour of the centuries-old deep friendship and mutual trust between India and Russia. This is the honour of our special and privileged strategic partnership.”
Though the award was conferred upon PM Modi in 2019, he received it physically today, marking a significant moment in the history of India-Russia relations.
A Testament to Strong Bilateral Relations
President Putin lauded PM Modi’s efforts in fostering strong bilateral relations between the two countries. “It is a testimony to Russia’s sincere gratitude for the sincere contribution you are making to strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between our nations,” President Putin said. He highlighted Modi’s role in broadening contacts with Russia even before his tenure as Prime Minister, starting from his initiative of twinning Gujarat with Russian regions during his time as Chief Minister.
Strengthening Strategic Partnerships
Under PM Modi’s leadership, India and Russia have seen significant advancements in various sectors, including trade, economic cooperation, nuclear energy, hydrocarbons, high-tech industries, and space exploration. President Putin emphasized Modi’s contributions to elevating India-Russia relations to a level of special and privileged strategic partnership and his efforts in creating a resilient framework for cooperation in the international arena.
Historical Significance of the Order of St Andrew the Apostle
The Order of St Andrew the Apostle, established in 1698 by Tsar Peter the Great, is awarded for the most outstanding civilian or military merit. Named in honour of Saint Andrew, the first apostle of Jesus and the patron saint of Russia, it is one of the highest recognitions bestowed by Russia.
A Vision for a Bright Future
Prime Minister Modi reciprocated the sentiments, acknowledging the deep-rooted friendship between India and Russia and the bright future of their partnership. He stated, “Honoured to receive this prestigious award. I thank President Putin and the people of Russia. The 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.”
A Busy Schedule in Russia
During his two-day visit to Russia, PM Modi engaged in a series of high-level meetings and events. He held a bilateral meeting with President Putin, visited the Rosatom Pavilion at the VDNKh Exhibition Centre, and addressed the Indian community in Moscow. He announced the opening of Indian Consulates in Kazan and Yekaterinburg, further strengthening the ties between the two nations.
Earlier on Monday, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Vnukovo-II Airport, where he was received by Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov. He also had an informal meeting with President Putin at the President’s House.
A Legacy of Meetings
The frequent interactions between PM Modi and President Putin underscore the importance of India-Russia relations. Over the past decade, the leaders have met 16 times, with their last in-person meeting taking place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand in 2022.
The Order of St Andrew the Apostle symbolizes not only PM Modi’s personal achievements but also the enduring and evolving relationship between India and Russia. As both nations continue to work towards global and regional security, this honour marks a significant milestone in their shared history and commitment to future cooperation.
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