Kuwait Bestows ‘The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer’ on PM Narendra Modi

Kuwait City: Kuwait on Sunday bestowed its highest honour 'The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer' on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in appreciation of his distinguished achievements and the efforts made to strengthen the relations between the two countries. This is the 20th international honour given to PM Modi by a country.

India and Kuwait also opened a new chapter in their longstanding relationship by becoming strategic partners, following PM Modi's "excellent meeting" with the Emir of Kuwait.

'The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer' is a knighthood order of Kuwait and is named after the seventh ruler of Kuwait, Mubarak bin Sabah Al-Sabah, who assumed power in 1896 and took Kuwait to new heights during his reign.

The Order is awarded to Heads of State and foreign Sovereigns and to members of foreign royal families in a sign of friendship. It has been previously awarded to foreign leaders like Bill Clinton and George Bush, besides royal dignitaries like Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles and Prince Muhammad bin Salman.

Last month, Prime Minister Modi was conferred with Guyana’s highest civilian honour, 'The Order of Excellence', by the country's President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, for his visionary statesmanship, championing the rights of developing countries on the global stage, exceptional service to the global community and for his commitment to strengthening India-Guyana relations.

During the India-CARICOM Summit in Guyana, Dominica too had conferred its highest national honour, the 'Dominica Award of Honour,' on PM Modi in acknowledgement of his pivotal support during the Covid-19 pandemic and his commitment to fostering India-Dominica relations.

Nigeria also conferred the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on Prime Minister Modi during his first official visit to the country in November. The Indian PM was the first foreign leader to be conferred with the award since 1969 when Queen Elizabeth received Nigeria's highest national honour.

'The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer' takes the number of civilian honours received by PM Modi to a record 20, highlighting his leadership and India's growing stature on the global stage. Analysts reckon that it is also a reflection of India's strengthened diplomatic relationships and the country's expanding influence.

Earlier, PM Modi had been conferred highest civilian honours in Saudi Arabia (King Abdulaziz Sash, 2016), Afghanistan (State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan, 2016), Palestine (Grand Collar of the State of Palestine Award, 2018), UAE (Order of Zayed Award, 2019), Russia (Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, 2019 - received by PM Modi in July 2024), Maldives (Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin, 2019), Bahrain (King Hamad Order of the Renaissance, 2019), US (Legion of Merit by the US Armed Forces in 2020), Bhutan (Order of the Druk Gyalpo, 2021) Papua New Guinea (Ebakl Award, 2023), Fiji (Companion of the Order of Fiji, 2023), Papua New Guinea (Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu, 2023), Egypt (Order of Nile, 2023), France (Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, 2023), Greece (Grand Cross of the Order of Honour, 2023).

Following an "excellent meeting" with the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah at the Bayan Palace, where he was bestowed with 'The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer,' PM Modi announced the decision to elevate India-Kuwait ties to the level of strategic partnership.

"We discussed cooperation in key sectors like pharmaceuticals, IT, FinTech, Infrastructure and security. In line with the close ties between our nations, we have elevated our partnership to a strategic one and I am optimistic that our friendship will flourish even more in the times to come," the PM posted on X.

The discussions focused on exploring ways to take India-Kuwait bilateral ties to new heights with PM Modi also expressing his gratitude to the Emir for the welfare of the Indian community in Kuwait.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister received a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Bayan Palace, in the presence of Kuwaiti Prime Minister Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.

The occasion marked a significant moment in PM Modi's two-day visit to the Gulf nation, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 43 years.

Prime Minister Modi had arrived in Kuwait on Saturday afternoon at the invitation of the Emir of Kuwait on a visit that further elevates India's already robust ties with the Gulf nations.

Soon after landing, PM Modi visited a labour camp in the Mina Abdullah area, where he interacted with a cross-section of Indian workers. He enquired about their well-being and highlighted several welfare schemes initiated by the Indian government over the past decade.

Later, the Prime Minister addressed a massive gathering of the Indian diaspora at the 'Hala Modi' event, held at the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Indoor Sports Complex in Kuwait City. During his address, PM Modi lauded the contributions of the Indian community in Kuwait, acknowledging their pivotal role in strengthening India-Kuwait ties.

The landmark visit is poised to fortify India's partnership with Kuwait - the current chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council - enhancing cooperation in political and economic sectors while reinforcing cultural and people-to-people ties. (IANS)

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