By India Today News Desk: In a rare honour for a non-Fijian, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Monday conferred the country’s highest civilian award, the Companion of the Order of Fiji, in recognition of his global leadership.
Fiji’s Prime Minster Sitiveni Rabuka presented PM Modi with a medallion for the title when the two leaders met in Papua New Guinea.
On being accorded Fiji’s highest award, PM Modi said, “This honour is not just mine but that of 140 crore Indians, of centuries-old India-Fiji relations.”
The Companion is conferred upon citizens, or other foreigners by an Honorary Award, in recognition of eminent achievement or the highest degree of meritorious service to Fiji or humanity.
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The Prime Minister was also conferred the Companion of the Order of Logohu by Papua New Guinea for championing the cause of unity of Pacific Island countries and spearheading the cause of the ‘Global South’.
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Very few non-residents of Papua New Guinea have received this award.
While not an honourary award, PM Modi was also presented with an Ebakl by the President of Palau, Surangel Whipps, Jr. The Ebakl is one of the most important tools for the people of Palau and has a strong link with the local culture. It also symbolises leadership and wisdom.
The Prime Minister’s meeting with President Whipps took place on the sidelines of the third summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) in Port Moresby. FIPIC was launched during PM Modi’s visit to Fiji in 2014.
PM Modi is the first Indian prime minister to visit Papua New Guinea. His visit comes at a time when China is making efforts to enhance its military and diplomatic influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Earlier in the day, the Indian Prime Minister held talks with his Papua New Guinea counterpart, James Marape, and took stock of their bilateral relations. The two leaders also discussed ways to further augment cooperation in areas like commerce, technology, healthcare and climate change.
PM Modi also reiterated India’s support and respect for the priorities and wishes of the Pacific Island nations. He also met the island nation’s Governor-General Bob Dadae separately and discussed ways to further strengthen the bilateral partnership across multiple sectors.
