ISLAMABAD, Jul 4 (APP):Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s habit of accumulating international accolades has come under scrutiny following his recent state visit to Seychelles, where he was awarded a newly created honor that sparked a political row at home. Upon landing in the Indian Ocean archipelago, Prime Minister Modi was presented with the "Guardian of the Blue Horizon" award by Seychelles President Patrick Herminie, according to a report published in …
First and only: Modi’s habit of collecting overseas awards triggers controversy in India
ISLAMABAD, Jul 4 (APP):Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s habit of accumulating international accolades has come under scrutiny following his recent state visit to Seychelles, where he was awarded a newly created honor that sparked a political row at home.
Upon landing in the Indian Ocean archipelago, Prime Minister Modi was presented with the “Guardian of the Blue Horizon” award by Seychelles President Patrick Herminie, according to a report published in the British daily The Guardian.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hailed the moment as a “proud day for India,” pointing to the award as international recognition of Modi’s “green leadership.”
However, domestic opposition parties and observers quickly flagged discrepancies surrounding the accolade. Critics pointed out that the distinction had been established just three days prior to Modi’s arrival, making him its first and only recipient. Furthermore, the accompanying certificate contained multiple typographical errors, misspelling “republic” as “repubblic” and “Seychelles” as “Seycheeles.”
Digital analyses also flagged the document as AI-generated.
The opposition Congress party accused Modi of excessive eagerness for global accolades.
“Give him any award, and he’ll come running,” stated Congress leader Supriya Shrinate on social media, adding that authorities were in such a hurry that they failed to spell the host country’s official name correctly.
In response to the controversy, the Seychelles Foreign Ministry issued a clarifying statement, explaining that an unapproved “working draft” had been mistakenly made public and that an “authentic and duly approved” version had since been finalized.
The ministry maintained that the “Guardian of the Blue Horizon” award remains a genuine honor.
Political analysts note that securing high-profile decorations has become an established expectation ahead of the Prime Minister Modi’s overseas visits during his 12 years in power.
Biographer Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay stated that this trend is central to a strategy aimed at demonstrating to domestic supporters that Modi possesses exceptional global stature, thereby linking India’s rising geopolitical influence directly to his personal brand.
The controversy follows similar patterns noted during other recent foreign trips. Earlier this year, the Israeli parliament established the Medal of the Knesset, a top honor presented to Modi upon his arrival in Israel, where he remains the sole recipient.
Past awards have faced similar trajectories; in 2019, Modi received India’s newly formed Philip Kotler Presidential Award, which was intended to be given annually to global leaders but has since seen its website go dormant without any subsequent recipients.
Over the past year, Modi has also been recorded as the first foreign head of state to receive Ethiopia’s Great Honour Nishan and the Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
