Lagatar24 Desk
Moscow: On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called, Russia’s most prestigious civilian honor, during his visit to Moscow.
President Vladimir Putin presented PM Modi with the accolade in recognition of his exceptional contributions to fostering partnership and friendship between India and Russia.
Expressing his gratitude, PM Modi acknowledged the award as a ‘samman’ (honor) for the 140 crore people of India and a testament to the enduring friendship between the two nations. “India-Russia ties have strengthened over the past 25 years under President Putin’s leadership. We must continue to encourage and support people-to-people partnerships for a brighter future for both India and Russia,” he remarked.
Highlighting the importance of the bilateral relationship, PM Modi added, “The India-Russia partnership is critical. We believe that for peace and stability, concerted efforts must persist. We are committed to working towards this goal continuously.”
The Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called was established in 1698 by Tsar Peter the Great in honor of Saint Andrew, the first apostle of Jesus and the patron saint of Russia. This prestigious award, bestowed in a single class, is reserved for exceptional civilian or military merit. The ceremony took place in the grand Hall of the Order of Saint Andrew, a venue historically significant for housing the throne of the incumbent monarch during the Tsarist era and more recently used for Russian presidential inaugurations.
