Seychelles presents new award to Indian prime minister during June visit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a new civilian award from the Seychelles during his June 27-29 visit. The honor, titled "Guardian of the Blue Horizon," was presented at a State House ceremony in Victoria and recognized his work on sustainable development and environmental conservation.

The award did not exist before the visit. " Officials later stated that the circulated image showed a working draft rather than the final document.

Other awards received Modi has received more than 30 honors during foreign visits over the past 12 years. In Indonesia this week he was awarded the Bintang Adipurna. In June he received Slovakia's Order of the White Double Cross, 1st Class. In February he became the first recipient of the Speaker of the Knesset Medal during a visit to Israel.

Earlier honors include the 2018 United Nations Champions of the Earth Award, the 2019 Global Goalkeeper Award from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the 2019 Philip Kotler Presidential Award.

Reactions and context Opposition politicians in India criticized the Seychelles award and the errors on the certificate. A Seychelles ministry statement said the distinction itself remains genuine and that cabinet approval occurred days before the visit.

Some analysts have questioned whether such awards advance broader diplomatic or economic interests. Others have described them as primarily serving the recipient's public image.