Russia confers highest state award on Modi

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday conferred his country’s highest national award “The Order of St Andrew the Apostle” on visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his contribution to fostering India-Russia ties.

The award, announced in 2019, was presented to Modi at a special ceremony in St Andrew Hall in the Kremlin.

Accepting the award, Modi dedicated it to the people of India and the traditional bonds of friendship between India and Russia.

He said the recognition illuminates the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

Modi is the first Indian leader who has been conferred the award instituted over 300 years ago, read an official statement in New Delhi.