Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was conferred with  the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (G.C.S.K) award, the highest civilian award of Mauritius, by President of the Republic of Mauritius H.E. Mr. Dharambeer Gokhool. PM Modi is the first Indian leader and fifth foreign national to receive this award. 

He attended the 57th National Day celebrations of the Republic of Mauritius as the Chief Guest on a two-day state visit. This was the second time that Modi was the chief guest at the National Day celebrations of Mauritius. Prime Minister Modi dedicated this award to the special friendship between India and Mauritius and to the 1.4 billion people of India and their 1.3 million brothers and sisters in Mauritius.

On receiving the award, PM Modi thanked the people and government of Mauritius for giving him country’s highest civilian honour. He said, “I humbly accept this decision with great respect. It is an honour for the historic bond between India and Mauritius.”

“It is a tribute to the centuries-old cultural and historical bonds of kinship between India and Mauritius,” Modi said in his acceptance speech. “It is an acknowledgment of our shared commitment to regional peace, progress, security and sustainable development, and it is a symbol of the shared hopes and aspirations of the Global South.”

Modi dedicated the award to the people who came from India to Mauritius centuries ago, saying: “Through their hard work, they wrote a golden chapter in the development of Mauritius and contributed to its vibrant diversity. I also embrace this honour as a responsibility,” Modi said. “I reaffirm our commitment that we will continue to make every effort to enhance the India-Mauritius strategic partnership to greater heights.” 

During the National Day celebrations, an Indian Navy marching contingent participated in the parade. An Indian Naval Ship also made a Port Call to coincide with the National Day celebrations.