The Commonwealth of Dominica has revealed that it will bestow its highest national honor, the Dominica Award of Honour, on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This recognition is in acknowledgment of his contributions to Dominica during the Covid-19 pandemic and his commitment to strengthening the bilateral ties between the two nations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be conferred with Dominica Award of Honour, the highest civilian award of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Source: Reuters.
The announcement was made by the Prime Minister’s Office of Dominica, which also stated that the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Sylvanie Burton, will present the prestigious award to Prime Minister Modi at the India-CARICOM Summit 2024. This summit is set to take place from November 19-21 in Georgetown, Guyana.
What is the reason behind Dominica honoring PM Modi with its highest national award?
According to the statement, in February 2021, at the height of the pandemic, PM Modi provided Dominica with 70,000 doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.
The vaccine provided by PM Modi was “a generous gift which enabled Dominica to extend support to its Caribbean neighbours,” the statement read.
“The award also recognises India’s support for Dominica in healthcare, education and information technology under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, as well as his role in promoting climate resilience-building initiatives and sustainable development on a global level,” the Dominica PMO said.
“The award is an expression of Dominica’s gratitude for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s solidarity with Dominica and the wider region,” Dominican PM Roosevelt Skerrit said.
"PM Modi is a genuine partner to Dominica"
Skerrit referred to PM Modi as a "genuine partner" of Dominica, especially during its time of need amid the global health crisis.
Dominica's privilege of awarding PM Modi
“It is an honour to present him with Dominica’s highest national accolade as a symbol of our gratitude for his support and as a reflection of the strong ties between our countries,” Skerrit said.
The Dominican Prime Minister also expressed his country's eagerness to strengthen the partnership and further promote "our common vision of progress and resilience."
Skerrit also said, “In accepting the offer of the award, PM Modi emphasised the importance of collaboration in tackling global challenges such as climate change and geopolitical conflict, and affirmed India’s commitment to working alongside Dominica and the Caribbean in addressing the issues.”
India-Dominica relations
The Commonwealth of Dominica is often referred to as the "Nature Island of the Caribbean" due to its lush green mountains and tranquil beauty.
As per the Ministry of External Affairs, Dominica spans an area of 750 square kilometers and has a population of around 72,000.
India has maintained friendly bilateral relations with the Commonwealth of Dominica since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1981.
India primarily exports pharmaceutical products, ready-made garments, textiles, home furnishings, and food products to Dominica, while Dominica mainly exports scrap metals to India.
The government of Dominica has exempted Indian nationals from visa requirements for tourism and business visits for up to six months. In return, India has approved an e-Tourist Visa for citizens of Dominica.
The Indian community in Dominica includes a number of business families, professionals, and faculty members from the Ross Medical University.
What PM Modi says?
In accepting the award, PM Modi highlighted the significance of collaboration in addressing global challenges like climate change and geopolitical conflicts, while reaffirming India’s dedication to partnering with Dominica and the Caribbean to tackle these issues. "Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton, President of the Commonwealth of Dominica and Prime Minister Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit will attend the India-CARICOM Summit, a forum to discuss shared priorities and new avenues for cooperation between India and CARICOM member states," read the statement.
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