Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Monday conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, the highest civilian honour of Cyprus, by President Nikos Christodoulides during their bilateral meeting at the Presidential Palace.
Expressing gratitude for the honour, PM Modi said, “I extend my heartfelt gratitude and express my deep appreciation for this honour. This recognition is not just for me, it is a tribute to the 140 crore Indians. It acknowledges their strength and aspirations.”
PM Modi also took to X to share his thoughts on the honour and wrote, “Humbled to receive the ‘Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III’ of Cyprus. I dedicate it to the friendship between our nations.”
Describing the significance of the award, the Prime Minister said, “This honour reflects the cultural harmony of our nation and the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The world is one family). I dedicate this award to the strong and enduring friendship between India and Cyprus, to our shared values, and to the mutual understanding we hold for each other.”
He further added, “This award is a symbol of our unwavering commitment to peace, security, sovereignty, regional integrity and our people.”
Reaffirming India’s partnership with Cyprus, PM Modi said, “I am confident that in the time to come, our active partnership will touch new heights. Together, we will not only strengthen the progress of our two nations but also contribute towards building a peaceful and secure global environment.”
This decoration marks the 23rd international award conferred on Prime Minister Modi by a foreign nation, underscoring his rising stature as a global statesman and his consistent advocacy for regional peace, inclusive development, and spiritual diplomacy.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi held wide-ranging discussions with Cyprus President Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace, marking a historic moment as it is the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Mediterranean nation.
Both leaders explored avenues to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, security, and technology.
The meeting, described as significant by Indian and Cypriot diplomatic sources, underscored the shared intent to elevate bilateral ties.
Earlier in the day, he was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Palace upon his arrival.
During the visit, PM Modi paid tribute to Makarios III, the first President of Cyprus and a revered religious leader, by laying a floral wreath at his memorial.
India and Cyprus have maintained strong diplomatic relations since the establishment of formal ties in 1962.
Cyprus has consistently supported India on several critical issues, including Kashmir, at international platforms such as the United Nations.
In their meeting, PM Modi and Christodoulides discussed new strategies for enhancing economic cooperation, increasing trade flows, and exploring technological collaborations.
Security and regional stability were also part of the dialogue, given the evolving geopolitical landscape.
Upon his arrival in Cyprus, PM Modi received a warm welcome from the members of the Indian diaspora. While relatively small in number, the Indian community has a notable presence in sectors like education, healthcare, and business, contributing meaningfully to Cypriot society.
A total of 23 countries have conferred their highest national honours upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recognizing his global leadership and contributions to international diplomacy.
List of Top International Civilian Honours Awarded to PM Narendra Modi
Cyprus: The Grand Collar of the Order of Makarios III 2024 Cyprus’ highest civilian honour.
Kuwait: Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer — Awarded for enhancing bilateral ties.
Sri Lanka: Mitra Vibhushana — Sri Lanka’s highest civilian honour for foreign nationals.
Mauritius : Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK) — Mauritius’ highest civilian honour.
Barbados: Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados — In recognition of leadership and strengthening ties.
Greece : Grand Cross of the Order of Honour 2023 For strengthening bilateral relations.
France: Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour 2023 France’s highest honour for military and civil merits.Egypt : Order of the Nile 2023 Egypt’s highest state honour.
Fiji: Companion of the Order of Fiji
Republic of Palau’s : Ebaki Award of Palau
Papua New Guinea: Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu 2023 For championing Global South cooperation.
United States: Legion of Merit 2020 For strengthening India-U.S. strategic partnership.
Guyana: Order of Excellence — Guyana’s highest national award.
Dominica: Dominica Award of Honour — One of the country’s top state honours.
Nigeria: Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger — Nigeria’s second-highest national honour.
Russia: Order of St. Andrew the Apostle — For promoting strategic partnership between India and Russia.
Bhutan: Order of the Druk Gyalpo — Bhutan’s highest civilian award.
Bahrain: King Hamad Order of the Renaissance 2019 For strengthening bilateral ties.
UAE: Order of Zayed 2019 UAE’s highest civilian honour.
Maldives: Rule of Nishan Izzuddeen 2019 Maldives’ highest honour for foreign dignitaries.
Palestine: Grand Collar of the State of Palestine 2018 For international cooperation and peace-building.
Afghanistan: Amir Amanullah Khan Award 2016 For contributions to India-Afghanistan development partnerships.
Saudi Arabia: King Abdulaziz Sash 2016 Saudi Arabia’s highest civilian honour.
