Indian PM Narendra Modi was awarded Slovakia’s highest national award, The Order of the White Double Cross (1st Class) taking his international award collection count to 33.The Order of the White Double Cross (1st Class) is the highest civilian and military state decoration awarded exclusively to foreign citizens by Slovakia.
The award was conferred in Bratislava during his weeklong visit to Europe. The award was by the President of Slovakia Peter Pellegrini. This is the first time an Indian prime minister has visited a European nation.
On receiving the award, PM Modi took to social media expressing gratitude he said, “Honoured to receive The Order of the White Double Cross (1st Class) in Bratislava this evening. My gratitude to the people and Government of Slovakia for this honour, which belongs to the 140 crore people of India. I dedicate this award to the enduring friendship between India and Slovakia.”
PM Modi called the award a testament to the warmth, trust, and affection that unite the people of India and Slovakia, and hoped that the honour would inspire future generations in both countries to continue nurturing their special friendship, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited his Slovak counterpart, Robert Fico, to visit India while he was on a state visit to the central European nation, saying that he was delighted that the Slovak leader had publicly accepted the invitation. Addressing the joint press statements with Prime Minister Fico in Bratislava, PM Modi said that his invitation was on behalf of the 140 crore Indians.