Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Slovakia’s highest civilian honour, the Order of the White Double Cross (First Class), in recognition of his contribution to strengthening India-Slovakia relations and promoting international cooperation.
The award marks the 33rd international honour bestowed upon Modi by a foreign nation, reflecting India’s growing diplomatic engagement and rising global stature.
Receiving the award at a ceremony in Bratislava, Modi expressed gratitude to the Slovak government and its people, saying that the recognition belonged to the people of India.
“Honoured to receive The Order of the White Double Cross (1st Class) in Bratislava this evening. My gratitude to the people and Government of Slovakia for this honour, which belongs to the 140 crore people of India. I dedicate this award to the enduring friendship between India and Slovakia,” the Prime Minister said.
The Order of the White Double Cross is Slovakia’s highest state decoration awarded to foreign nationals for exceptional contributions to the development of bilateral relations and the advancement of international cooperation.
The honour was conferred during Modi’s visit to Slovakia, where he held discussions with the country’s leadership and interacted with leading business representatives to explore opportunities for expanding cooperation in trade, investment, defence, information technology, innovation, railways, healthcare, and clean energy.
The award comes amid growing efforts by New Delhi and Bratislava to strengthen economic and strategic ties. Officials said the recognition reflects the steady expansion of bilateral relations and the shared resolve of both countries to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors.
During the visit, the two sides underscored the importance of boosting business partnerships, technological collaboration, and people-to-people exchanges, while encouraging greater investment flows and joint ventures.
Indian officials described the award as a testament to the strong and enduring friendship between the two countries and a reflection of India’s increasing role on the global stage. They noted that the honour highlights the positive trajectory of India-Slovakia relations and the growing convergence of interests between the two nations.
Modi’s visit is being viewed as an important step in India’s outreach to Central Europe, with both countries expressing confidence that bilateral cooperation will continue to expand in the years ahead.