Order of St Andrew the Apostle: All About Russia's Highest Civilian Award Conferred to PM Modi

Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday honoured Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russia's Highest Civilian Honour, Order of St Andrew the Apostle. PM Modi was bestowed with the award by the Russian president during their joint statement in Moscow. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was ceremoniously presented with the Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called, which was bestowed on him in the year 2019 at St Catherine's Hall of the Moscow Kremlin during his visit to Russia then.

The order was presented to the Prime Minister of India for his distinguished contribution to the development of a privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India and friendly ties between the two countries.

PM Modi was conferred with the award at the Grand Hall of the Order of Saint Andrew, which has been used for ceremonial events in Russia for centuries. It is said that during the Tsarist era, it housed the throne of the incumbent monarch. Importantly, awarding the leader of another country within these historic walls is being considered as a great honour.

PM Modi Dedicates Award to People of India

While accepting the award, Prime Minister Modi dedicated it to the people of India and the traditional bonds of friendship between India and Russia. He further stated that the recognition illuminates the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries, said a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

"I am heartily grateful to you for conferring me with the highest civilian honour of Russia. This honour is not just mine, this is an honour of 140 crore Indians. This is an honour of the centuries-old and deep friendship and mutual trust between India and Russia," PM Modi said after receiving the award.

What is ‘Order of St Andrew the Apostle’

The Order of St Andrew the Apostle was established in 1698 by Tsar Peter the Great, in honour of Saint Andrew, the first apostle of Jesus and patron saint of Russia. It is only awarded for the most outstanding civilian or military service.

PM Modi’s Visit To Russia

PM Modi is visiting Moscow for the first time since Russia launched its military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022. The visit aimed to strengthen New Delhi’s long-standing relationship with Moscow. He last visited Russia in 2019.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi held wide-ranging talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and said that India’s oil pact with Moscow provided price stability on a global level. The prime minister is expected to have a one-on-one meeting with Putin, concluding the first leg of his two-day visit. During the meeting at a private dinner a day before, Russia reportedly agreed to discharge and facilitate the return of all Indians fighting for the Russian army in Ukraine, which is being considered as a breakthrough achieved during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Moscow.

After completing his visit to Russia, the PM will then depart for Austria, where he plans to meet with the Austrian President and hold bilateral talks with the Chancellor, followed by a meeting with a business delegation.