Daijiworld Media Network- Nicosia

Nicosia, Jun 16: In a moment of immense pride for India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III—the highest civilian honour of Cyprus—by President Nikos Christodoulides, marking his 23rd international honour from a foreign nation.

The prestigious award was presented at a grand ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia on Monday, signifying Cyprus’ deep respect for Prime Minister Modi’s leadership and India’s growing global stature. This is the first time in 23 years that an Indian Prime Minister has visited Cyprus, making the occasion even more significant.

Expressing heartfelt gratitude, Prime Minister Modi dedicated the honour to the 1.4 billion citizens of India and the warm, historic ties between India and Cyprus. “This is not merely a personal recognition, but a reflection of India’s commitment to peace, mutual respect, and shared values,” he said.

President Christodoulides lauded India’s consistent support on the Cyprus issue and highlighted Cyprus as India’s dependable ally in the Eastern Mediterranean. He reaffirmed Cyprus’ role as a gateway for India into Europe, especially ahead of the country’s presidency of the EU Council beginning January 2026.

The recognition, experts say, goes beyond honouring one leader—it reflects the emergence of a confident, strategic, and globally respected India under Modi’s leadership.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Modi was also conferred with top honours by Mauritius and Sri Lanka. In April, Sri Lanka awarded him the ‘Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana’, its highest civilian title for foreign leaders. In March, Mauritius presented the ‘Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean’, with leaders equating Modi’s contribution to that of Nelson Mandela.

In December 2024, Kuwait honoured him with the ‘Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer’, joining the list of countries such as Nigeria, Guyana, Dominica, and several others that have conferred their highest honours on Modi in recent years.

With this, PM Modi becomes the most internationally awarded Indian Prime Minister in history, having previously received recognitions from countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Russia, France, Egypt, the US, and many others. These accolades also include global awards from organisations like the United Nations, Seoul Peace Prize Foundation, and the Gates Foundation.

A former diplomat remarked, “The world is not only watching India; it’s acknowledging and respecting a new India—self-assured, decisive, and globally engaged.”

Prime Minister Modi said the trust and support of 140 crore Indians is the true driving force behind these recognitions, and reiterated India’s commitment to fostering meaningful global partnerships rooted in mutual trust, spiritual harmony, and inclusive development.

Indeed, as the world continues to honour India’s leadership on the global stage, this 23rd recognition further cements Prime Minister Modi’s image as a transformative statesman shaping India’s place in the 21st-century world order.