Port Louis/New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed his gratitude on being conferred the Highest National Award of Mauritius, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean.
Expressing his heartfelt gratitude on being conferred the honour, the PM thanked the Prime Minister of Mauritius Navinchandra Ramgoolam and the “sisters and brothers of Mauritius”.
“This is not just my honour, it is the honour of 1.4 billion Indians. It is a tribute to the centuries old cultural and historical bonds of kinship between India and Mauritius. It is an acknowledgment of our shared commitment to regional peace, progress, security and sustainable development. And it is a symbol of the shared hopes and aspirations of the Global South.
"I dedicate it to your ancestors who came from India to Mauritius centuries ago, and to all their generations. Through their hard work they wrote a golden chapter in the development of Mauritius and contributed to its vibrant diversity.
"I also embrace this honour as a responsibility. I reaffirm our commitment that we will continue to make every effort to enhance the India-Mauritius strategic partnership to greater heights.
"Thank you."
PM Modi is the fifth foreign personality to be conferred the top honour, who include anti-apartheid icon and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela.
