Caption: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, addresses the Parliament of Ghana on Thursday.

By Aicia Chamely

INDIAN Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received 24 state awards from different countries, making him the most internationally decorated prime minister of India.

Modi, arrives in Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday will on Friday be given T&Ts highest award, the Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago (ORTT).

On Tuesday, it was announced via a press release from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) that Modi would be given the ORTT at a ceremony on Friday morning by President Christine Kangaloo at President’s House, Port of Spain.

The ORTT was T&T’s highest award, conferred in accordance with Section 10(6) of the Constitution of the Distinguished Society of Trinidad and Tobago.

Modi most recently received Ghana’s highest national award The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana on Wednesday during his visit to the African nation.

He was given the award for “distinguished statesmanship and influential global leadership,” by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama.

In a post X, former Twitter, Modi stated, “This honour is also a responsibility; to keep working towards stronger India-Ghana friendship. India will always stand with the people of Ghana and continue to contribute as a trusted friend and development partner.”

In a press release the OPM stated, “This award, will therefore serve as a tribute of the nation’s appreciation for Modi’s outstanding contribution to the development of Trinidad and Tobago; and service to the region and wider international community.”

Modi was visiting T&T as part of his five-nation trip, which started on July 2, and included visits to Ghana, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia.

He was invited to T&T by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar upon her re-election on April 28.

Modi was scheduled to receive his award on Friday morning, after which he will deliver a joint address at Parliament, at the Red House, Port-of-Spain.

Awards given to Prime Minister Modi from other nations are:

• Saudi Arabia -King Abdulaziz Shah
• Afghanistan -State Order of the Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan Award
• Palestine -Grand Collar of the State of Palestine Award
• United Arab Emirates- Order of Zayed
• Maldives’ Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin
• Bahrain- King Hamad Order of the Renaissance
• United States of America –Legion of Merit
• Bhutan – Order of the Druk Gyalpo
• Fiji- Companion of the Order of Fiji
• Papua New Guinea – Order of Logohu
• Republic of Palau – Honour Ebaki Award
• Egypt – Order of the Nile
• France – Grand Cross of the Legion
• Greece- Grand Cross of the Order of Honour
• Russia – Order of St. Andrew the Apostle
• Dominica – Dominica’s Award of Honour
• Nigeria – Grand Commander of Order
• Barbados – The Order of Freedom
• Guyana – The Order of Excellence
• Kuwait – Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer
• Mauritius – The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star & Key of the Indian Ocean
• Sri Lanka – The Mitra Vibhushana
• Cyprus- The Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III
• Ghana – The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana