Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to receive Dominica’s highest national award, the Dominica Award of Honour, at the upcoming India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown, Guyana, from November 19 to 21. This accolade recognizes his exceptional contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic and his role in fostering a strong partnership between India and the Caribbean nation.
Dominica’s President Sylvanie Burton will present the award, marking a significant moment of gratitude and diplomacy. The announcement from Dominica’s Office of the Prime Minister highlighted PM Modi’s pivotal support in February 2021, when India provided 70,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to Dominica. This generous gesture not only strengthened Dominica’s healthcare response but also enabled the island nation to assist its neighboring Caribbean countries in managing the crisis.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica expressed heartfelt appreciation, calling Modi a true partner during challenging times. “This award is a symbol of our gratitude for his support and reflects the strong ties between our countries. We look forward to building on this partnership and advancing our shared vision of progress and resilience”, said PM Skerrit.
Beyond pandemic relief, the award also acknowledges India’s contributions under PM Modi’s leadership in areas like healthcare, education and information technology. Furthermore, Modi’s efforts to promote climate resilience and sustainable development on a global scale have strengthened India’s ties with smaller nations like Dominica. His leadership has consistently championed global collaboration to tackle shared challenges like climate change and geopolitical conflicts.
While accepting the honour, PM Modi reiterated India’s commitment to supporting Caribbean nations. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing global crises and expressed his dedication to fostering resilience and progress in partnership with Dominica and other CARICOM member states.
The India-CARICOM Summit itself is a platform for strengthening ties between India and the 15-member Caribbean Community. Discussions will focus on shared priorities, ranging from economic cooperation to sustainable development initiatives.
This recognition not only highlights PM Modi’s efforts during a global health crisis but also underscores India’s growing role as a dependable partner for smaller nations. The award serves as a reminder of how acts of solidarity during critical times can forge lasting bonds between countries, regardless of size or geography.
As Dominica honors PM Modi, it celebrates not just a leader, but the values of partnership and humanity that define his approach to international relations.
