Russia has conferred PM Modi with highest civilian award

On Friday, Russia has conferred its highest civilian award to PM Modi. PM Modi to be honoured with 'Order of St Andrew the Apostle' for promoting bilateral special and privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India.

Russian embassy tweeted that the Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed the decree to award the PM Narendra Modi.

"On April 12, Narendra Modi was decorated with the Order of St Andrew the Apostle for exceptional services in promoting special & privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India and friendly relations between the Russian and Indian peoples", the Russian embassy said in a tweet.

PM Modi thanked the Russian President for the award and tweeted, "Honoured to receive this prestigious award. I thank President Putin and the people of Russia. Foundations of India-Russia friendship are deep and the future of our partnership is bright. Extensive cooperation between our nations has led to extraordinary outcomes for our citizens".

In 1698, The Order was established by Tsar Peter the Great, in honour of Saint Andrew, the first apostle of Jesus and patron saint of Russia. It was only awarded for the most outstanding civilian or military merit. It was abolished under the Soviet Union and re-established in 1998.

With this award, now PM Modi has been honoured with seven international awards. In this month, this is the second international award for PM Modi.