INDIA: Indian President Droupadi Murmu was bestowed with Suriname’s highest civilian award by President Chandrikapersad Santokhi. The esteemed recognition, known as the Grand Order of the Chain of Yellow Star, serves to acknowledge and appreciate President Murmu’s contributions towards strengthening the longstanding bilateral ties between the two nations.
This significant accolade marks the first instance of an Indian recipient receiving this distinguished award. President Murmu embarked on a three-day state visit, which included visits to Serbia and Suriname.
In a heartfelt gesture, President Murmu dedicated the award to the Indian-Surinamese community, expressing her gratitude through a post on Twitter: “I am greatly honoured to receive Suriname’s highest distinction, the ‘Grand Order of the Chain of the Yellow Star.’ This recognition holds tremendous significance, not only for me but also for the 1.4 billion people of India whom I represent.”
She further extended her dedication to the successive generations of the Indian-Surinamese community, acknowledging their vital role in fostering the strong fraternal ties between the two countries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his congratulations to President Murmu for the prestigious award, expressing his sentiments on Twitter: “Congratulations to Rashtrapati Ji on being conferred the highest civilian award of Suriname – Grand Order of the Chain of the Yellow Star. This special gesture from the Government and the people of Suriname symbolizes the enduring friendship between our countries.”
The Ministry of External Affairs also took to Twitter to congratulate President Murmu on this esteemed honour, stating, “An honor reflective of the deep-rooted India-Suriname ties! President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn conferred with the ‘Grand Order of the Chain of the Yellow Star,’ the highest civilian award of Suriname by President @CSantokhi.”
Furthermore, during the visit, India and Suriname solidified their partnership by signing four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in critical areas such as health, agriculture, and capacity building. These agreements underscore the commitment of both nations to collaborate and enhance cooperation in various sectors.
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