How Did PM Modi Achieve 27 Global Honours Including Namibia's Top Award?

Windhoek, July 9 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded Namibia's prestigious civilian accolade, 'Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis', during his brief State Visit to this African country on Wednesday.

This award, which was established in 1995, acknowledges exceptional service and leadership, and is named after the Welwitschia Mirabilis, a remarkable and ancient desert plant unique to Namibia, symbolizing resilience, longevity, and the indomitable spirit of its people.

During delegation-level discussions with Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, PM Modi expressed gratitude, stating, “I thank you and the Namibian government for deciding to confer upon me the highest civilian award of 'Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis' which is a matter of great pride to 140 crore Indians.”

This marks the 27th international honour for PM Modi, the fourth received during his current five-nation tour, and the second in less than 24 hours.

On Tuesday night, Brazilian authorities awarded him the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross, their highest honour, during his visit to the country.

Last Friday, he was the first foreign leader to receive 'The Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago', the Caribbean nation’s top civilian honour, during his two-day stay in Port of Spain.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Kamala Persad Bissessar, praised PM Modi, stating that the honour reflects his global leadership and strong connections with the Indian diaspora, as well as his humanitarian actions during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Earlier on July 2, as he commenced his five-nation journey, PM Modi was awarded the 'Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana' by Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama for his distinguished statesmanship and influential global leadership.

Analysts believe these accolades highlight PM Modi’s unparalleled global influence, asserting that no Indian Prime Minister has had such a significant impact as a global statesman, committed to regional peace, development, and spiritual diplomacy.

One former diplomat remarked, “For the first time, India's foreign policy is unapologetically 'India First' — clear-headed, confident, and consistent. The world is not just watching; it is acknowledging and respecting this new India.”

In June, PM Modi received Cyprus’s Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III from President Nikos Christodoulides in Nicosia.

Earlier this year, both Mauritius and Sri Lanka honored PM Modi with their highest civilian awards.

In April, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake bestowed upon him the 'Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana', the highest civilian award for Heads of State, recognizing his efforts to enhance relations between the two neighboring nations.

This award was seen as a powerful representation of shared destinies, spiritual kinship, and a collective vision for progress based on mutual respect and trust.

In March, during Mauritius’s National Day celebrations, President Dharambeer Gokhool awarded PM Modi the 'Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean' (GCSK), marking the first time an Indian leader received this honor.

On Tuesday, PM Modi received a grand welcome from Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at the Alvorada Palace in Brasilia, following his attendance at the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

After the ceremonial welcome—marked by an escort of 114 horses—both leaders engaged in a restricted meeting, which was succeeded by delegation-level talks.

A signing ceremony for various agreements will transpire, followed by statements from the leaders to the press, after which PM Modi will be honored with a State Lunch at the Alvorada Palace.