PM Modi conferred Mauritius's highest honour, first Indian to receive the award

Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam on Wednesday bestowed the nation’s highest honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean, on PM Narendra Modi at a ceremony in the nation’s capital Port Louis.

Modi is the first Indian and only the fifth foreign national to receive the honour.

In an address following the ceremony, he dedicated the honour to the “140 crore people of India and the centuries-old friendship between our nations”.

Modi further said, “The people and the government of Mauritius have decided to confer upon me their highest civilian honour. I humbly accept this decision with great respect. This is not just an honour for me, it is an honour for the historic bond between India and Mauritius.”

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PM Modi becomes the first Indian to be conferred with Mauritius's highest honour, 'The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the… pic.twitter.com/MlGG7RBrPa

— DD India (@DDIndialive) March 12, 2025

Modi is on a two-day state visit to Mauritius to attend the National Day celebrations, launch a number of projects, sign deals, and hold talks with the nation’s leaders.

Ramgoolam had announced the conferment of the honour on Tuesday hours after Modi arrived in the country. At the airport, Ramgoolam led a bipartisan delegation of around 200 people comprising top ministers, officials, and opposition leader, to welcome Modi.

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During the visit, Modi and Ramgoolam elevated the bilateral relationship to the level of ‘Enhanced Strategic Partnership’. A string of agreements across various sectors were signed, such as security cooperation, training of diplomats, supporting small and medium businesses, scientific cooperation, and financial aid. Modi and Ramgoolam also inaugurated the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation in Mauritius that Modi said will “serve as a hub for learning, research and public service”.

Referring to the talks between the two leaders, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said, “Their talks focused on enhancing collaboration in key sectors, including infrastructure, housing, digital technology, healthcare, AI and more.”