PM Modi Conferred with Mauritius' Highest Honour— The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean

New Delhi: Mauritius Prime Minister Mauritian Navinchandra Ramgoolam on Tuesday announced its highest award, ‘The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean’ for Prime Minister Narendra Modi . 

Prime Minister Modi is the first Indian to receive the honour.

This is the 21st international award bestowed upon PM Modi by a country. 

Ramgoolam said PM Modi is the fifth foreign national to receive this distinguished recognition. 

During the event, Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam said, "'The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean' is very fitting for you, Prime Minister."

"Since we became a Republic only five foreign dignitaries have got that title and among them is the Gandhi of Africa, Nelson Mandela who received it in 1998", the Mauritius PM noted.

While addressing the Indian diaspora, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is working with Mauritius to protect the Indian Ocean region. 

"A decade ago, in 2015, I announced India's Sagar vision... Today, Mauritius is still at the heart of this vision... India always stands with Mauritius... Mauritius is the first country from the African Union with whom India signed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2021... Indian companies have invested millions of dollars in Mauritius... India works with Mauritius to protect the Indian Ocean region..." Prime Minister said. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is on a visit to Mauritius, attended the Mauritius National Day celebrations as the Chief Guest, highlighting the strong diplomatic and cultural ties between India and Mauritius, an official press release by the Ministry of External Affairs stated.

During his visit, he presented the President and the first lady of Mauritius with OCI Cards, along with presenting them with holy Sangam water from Mahakumbh in a Brass and Copper pot, superfood Makhana and a Banarasi Saree in a Sadeli box to the first lady of Mauritius.

The PM also paid a visit to the Ayurveda garden at the State House in Mauritius on Tuesday which has been developed in collaboration with the Government of India. He visited the garden along with the President of Mauritius, Dharambeer Gokhool.