Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday was conferred with the "Companion of the Order of Fiji", the country’s highest civilian award, in recognition of his global leadership.
The Companion is conferred upon citizens, or other foreigners by an Honorary Award, in recognition of eminent achievement or the highest degree of meritorious service to Fiji or humanity. The medallion was presented to him by his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka for his global leadership, in a rare honour for a non-Fijian.
"Big Honour for India. Prime Minister Modi has been conferred the highest honour of Fiji by the PM of Fiji: Companion of the Order of Fiji in recognition of his global leadership. Only a handful of Non-Fijians have received this honour to date," the Prime Minister's Office said.
Modi dedicated the honour to the people of India and to the generations of the Fiji-Indian community, who have played a key role in the special and enduring bond between the two countries, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Twitter.
Along with Fiji, Papua New Guinea too conferred its highest civilian order, Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu (GCL), on PM Modi for championing the cause of unity of Pacific Island countries and spearheading the cause of Global South. Very few non-residents of the island nation have received this award.
PM Modi also met Rabuka on the sidelines of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) summit in Papua New Guinea.
"Delighted to meet PM @slrabuka of Fiji. We had a great conversation on various topics. The relations between India and Fiji have stood the test of time. We look forward to working together to further cement it in the coming years," Prime Minister Modi tweeted.
Modi arrived in Papua New Guinea on Sunday on his maiden visit to the country to host a key summit between India and 14 Pacific island countries to boost bilateral ties.
(With inputs from PTI)
