Modi conferred with Guyana’s ‘The Order of Excellence’

Guyana: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded Guyana’s highest civilian honour, ‘The Order of Excellence,’ by President Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Wednesday. The award recognises Modi’s visionary leadership, his advocacy for developing nations, and his efforts in strengthening India-Guyana relations.

While accepting the prestigious award, PM Modi dedicated it to the people of India and highlighted the strong historical ties between the two nations. He also emphasized that his state visit to Guyana is a testament to India’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the bilateral relationship.

“I sincerely thank President Dr. Irfaan Ali for conferring upon me Guyana’s highest honour. This is not just an individual recognition but a recognition of the 140 crore people of India,” Modi said during the ceremony held at the State House in Georgetown. He added that Guyana’s President Ali has played a key role in elevating the two countries’ relations to unprecedented heights.

PM Modi is only the fourth foreign leader to be awarded ‘The Order of Excellence,’ with previous recipients including heads of state from prominent countries.

In his address, Guyana’s President Mohamed Irfaan Ali praised India’s leadership in championing new technology and innovation to bridge global gaps. He called for these advancements to help reduce poverty and bring nations closer together, noting India’s role in advancing digitalization and technology for the betterment of developing countries.

“India has been championing new technology innovation, and PM Modi reminded us in CARICOM that you are a member of this CARICOM family,” President Ali said. “We want you to know we hold you as a member of this CARICOM family.”

PM Modi responded by expressing India’s readiness to continue working closely with Guyana, particularly in areas of technology and democracy, which are vital for strengthening ties between the two nations and supporting the Global South.

Drawing parallels between India and Guyana, PM Modi noted the cultural and geographical similarities, saying, “Just as the rivers of Guyana, like the Essequibo, are a part of the cultural identity of the people here, rivers of India like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra have been the birthplace of our ancient civilization.”

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also took to social media to celebrate the moment, calling it “another feather in the cap for India.” He praised Modi for his exceptional statesmanship and contribution to the global community.