Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been given Brazil’s highest civilian honour — the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross. The award was presented to him on Tuesday by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. This award recognises PM Modi’s important work in improving the relationship between India and Brazil.

The honour was given during Modi’s visit to Brazil, where he and President Lula held delegation-level talks. After receiving the award, PM Modi said in a joint press statement with Lula,
"Being honoured with Brazil's highest national award by the President today is a moment of immense pride and emotion, not only for me, but also for 140 crore Indians."
He also said, "I express my heartfelt gratitude to him (President Lula), the Brazilian government, and the people of Brazil."

Later, PM Modi posted a message on X (formerly Twitter), saying:
“I’m honoured to have been conferred ‘The Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross.’ Gratitude to President Lula, the government, and the people of Brazil. This illustrates the strong affection the people of Brazil have for the people of India. May our friendship scale even newer heights of success in the times to come.”

According to a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs, PM Modi also said that President Lula was the one who started the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership. Modi added that this award was also a tribute to President Lula’s hard work to make the ties between the two countries stronger.

The Prime Minister said that this honour will inspire the people of India and Brazil to make their friendship even deeper.

This is the 26th international award given to PM Modi by a foreign government since he became Prime Minister in May 2014.

You might also be interested in: Kharge criticised for calling Kovind ‘Covid’ and Murmu ‘Murma ji’; BJP demands apology