Prime Minister Narendra Modi was ceremoniously presented with the Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called at St Catherine's Hall of the Moscow Kremlin on Tuesday. The award, bestowed upon him in 2019, recognizes his distinguished contribution to the development of a privileged strategic partnership and friendly ties between Russia and India.

The Order of St Andrew the Apostle, established in 1698 by Tsar Peter the Great in honor of Saint Andrew, the first apostle of Jesus and the patron saint of Russia, is awarded for the most outstanding civilian or military service.

In 2019, the Russian Embassy in India announced, "On April 12, @narendramodi 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."

https://x.com/RusEmbIndia/status/1116632385485983745

Russian President Vladimir Putin had stated on social media, "Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Order of St Andrew for outstanding achievements in promoting partnership with Russia." To this, PM Modi replied, "Honoured to receive this prestigious award. I thank President Putin and the people of Russia. The foundations of India-Russia friendship are deep & the future of our partnership is bright. Extensive cooperation between our nations has led to extraordinary outcomes for our citizens."

https://x.com/KremlinRussia_E/status/1116646881168449537

During his last visit to Russia in 2019, Modi attended a forum in Vladivostok and met with Putin. The leaders also saw each other in September 2022 at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Uzbekistan.

During his current two-day visit to Russia for the 22nd India-Russia annual summit, which began on Monday, Prime Minister Modi laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This visit is seen as an opportunity for PM Modi to further strengthen the long-standing ties between India and Russia.