World

Dominica confers top award on PM Modi

newsnow9November 21, 202403 mins

Georgetown (Guyana): Dominica has conferred its top award on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his contributions to the Caribbean nation during the COVID-19 pandemic and his dedication to enhancing the bilateral partnership between India and Dominica.

The prime minister, who is in Guyana on the last leg of his three-nation visit, was conferred the “Dominica Award of Honour” by President Sylvanie Burton of Dominica during the India-CARICOM Summit here on Wednesday.

“Honoured to be conferred with highest national award by Dominica. I dedicate it to the 140 crore people of India,” Modi said in a post on X.

PM Modi arrived in Guyana on Wednesday where he was given a warm welcome at the airport by President Irfan Ali and over a dozen cabinet ministers. Modi’s visit marks the first trip by an Indian prime minister to Guyana in over 50 years.

After his arrival, he also met with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley at a hotel in Guyana capital Georgetown. He is scheduled to be in Guyana till Thursday.

His itinerary includes addressing a special sitting of Guyana’s parliament and participating in the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit with leaders from Caribbean partner countries. The PM is also set to hold delegation-level talks with President Irfaan Ali.

“My visit to Guyana, at the invitation of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, will be the first-ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister in over 50 years. We will exchange views on giving strategic direction to our unique relationship, which is based on shared heritage, culture and values. I will also pay my respects to one of the oldest Indian diaspora, who migrated more than 185 years ago, and engage a fellow democracy, as I address their Parliament,” the Prime Minister had earlier noted.

His five-day international trip began with a visit to Nigeria, followed by the G20 Summit in Brazil, and then to Guyana.