Papua New Guinea, Fiji confer highest civilian award on PM Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the highest civilian honour from two Pacific Island countries: Fiji and Papua New Guinea, on the sidelines of the third Forum of India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit.

Fiji awarded PM Modi with the highest honour: Companion of the Order of Fiji in recognition of his global leadership.

Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka conferred PM Modi with the highest honour in the country which is given to only a handful of Non-Fijians.
PM Modi said, "...This honour is not just mine but that of 140 crores Indians, of centuries-old India-Fiji relations..."

Papua New Guinea also conferred the Companion of the Order of Logohu to PM Modi for championing the cause of unity of Pacific Island countries and spearheading the cause of the Global South. Very few non-residents of Papua New Guinea have received this award.

PM Modi has also been accorded the "Ebakl Award" of Palau by President Surangel Whipps Jr, on the sidelines of the third India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit in Papua New Guinea.

Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, "Had a wonderful meeting with President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. of the Republic of Palau on the sidelines of FIPIC Summit."

The Prime Minister arrived on the second leg of a visit to Papua New Guinea on May 21 after attending G7 Summit in Japan's Hiroshima.
After his visit to Papua New Guinea, he will travel to Sydney at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

(ANI)