President Kovind receives Croatia's highest civilian order

President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday was honoured with Croatia's highest civilian award -- the Grand Order of the King of Tomislav. Kovind is in the European country as part of his eight-day three-nation visit to Croatia, Bolivia and Chile to further strengthen bilateral ties between India and the three countries.

"President of India honoured with highest civilian order in #Croatia! During his State Visit to Croatia #Presidentkovind is honoured with Grand Order of the King of Tomislav, the highest award of Croatia. #Presidentkovind dedicated it to India-Croatia friendship! @KolindaGK," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Ravish Kumar tweeted.

The civilian order is awarded to heads of state for their important contribution towards the development of state relations between Croatia and their respective countries.

READ: President Ram Nath Kovind Gives Away Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards

During his visit to Croatia, President Kovind also held a wide range of discussions on issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding their economic relations.

Kovind further offered a bust of Mahatma Gandhi to Croatia, marking the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation. President Kovind and President of Croatia Mrs Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic also signed four MoUs between the two countries in the field of tourism, sports, the establishment of chairs in Sanskrit and Hindi.

Kovind, who is the first-ever Indian head of state to visit Croatia, was earlier accorded a ceremonial welcome here. He is in the European nation from March 25 to March 28.

READ: 'To The Overachieving Parsi Community': President Kovind And PM Modi Wish Navroz Mubarak; Here Is How The World Is Celebrating The Persian New Year

(With agency inputs)