This is the 25th international honour bestowed upon PM Modi by a country

In a special ceremony at the President`s House, President Christine Carla Kangaloo conferred upon Prime Minister Modi the highest national award of Trinidad and Tobago for his statesmanship, for championing the priorities of the Global South and for his exceptional contribution to strengthening the relationship between the two countries

PM Modi, who is on a two-day visit to the Caribbean nation, expressed his gratitude to the government and the people for being honoured with the highest national award

"I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you, your government, and the people for honouring me with the highest national award, the `Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago`," PM Modi said after receiving the award

"This honour is a symbol of the eternal and deep friendship between our two countries. I accept this honour on behalf of 140 crore Indians as a shared pride," he said as he dedicated the honour to the enduring bonds of friendship between the two countries

PM Modi said the conferment of this honour on a foreign leader for the first time reflects the deep bilateral ties, which are based on our shared history and cultural heritage