Dominica Confers Highest National Award on Indian PM Narendra Modi

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA - The Commonwealth of Dominica has announced that it will confer its highest national award, the Dominica Award of Honour, to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recognition of his contributions to the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic and his role in strengthening the relationship between India and Dominica.

The award will be presented by Sylvanie Burton, President of the Commonwealth of Dominica, during the upcoming India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown, Guyana, from November 19 to 21, 2024. This gesture is a culmination of India's long-standing support to Dominica in various sectors, including healthcare, education, and information technology.

In February 2021, India provided Dominica with 70,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, marking a significant gesture that helped the island nation vaccinate its population amidst the global health crisis. The move also enabled Dominica to extend support to its Caribbean neighbors during their time of need.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being recognized for his leadership in climate resilience and sustainable development on the global stage, with this award acknowledging India's continued assistance to Dominica under his leadership. The Indian Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the recognition, stressing the importance of global collaboration in addressing pressing issues like climate change and geopolitical conflicts.

"I am humbled to receive this prestigious award from Dominica. It is an honor to present ourselves as partners committed to tackling these challenges together," Modi said in response, emphasizing India's commitment to working alongside Dominica and CARICOM nations to address shared priorities.

The India-CARICOM Summit will provide a platform for India and CARICOM member states to discuss their joint priorities and explore new avenues of cooperation. Both President Sylvanie Burton and Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit are expected to attend the summit, which is scheduled for November 19-21, 2024. The conference aims to solidify ties between India and CARICOM nations and forge a path forward for continued collaboration and progress in shared areas.