Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded Namibia’s highest civilian award ‘Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis’ by Namibia’s President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. He is the first Indian leader to receive this honor.
While receiving the award, Prime Minister Modi dedicated it to 140 crore Indians and the historical relations between the two countries. He expressed his gratitude to President Nandi-Ndaitw and the people of Namibia.
In his address, the Prime Minister said, “A true friend is recognised in difficult times. India and Namibia have stood by each other since our independence struggle. Our friendship is not built on politics but on struggle, cooperation and mutual trust.”
He added, “Namibia is one of the world’s leading diamond producers, while India, particularly Gujarat, has the world’s largest diamond polishing industry. Our partnership will shine brightly in the future, just like these diamonds.”
This honour marks an important milestone in India-Namibia bilateral relations and will serve as an inspiration for the youth of both countries to take this special partnership to greater levels.
Prime Minister Modi has now returned to India on Thursday after a successful state visit to five countries – Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia. Through this visit, India has given new dimensions to its relations with these countries.