Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Russia for a two-day trip, where he was awarded the Order of St. Andrew and held meetings with President Vladimir Putin. During the visit, Modi highlighted the need for peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict and expressed his pain over the loss of innocent lives, specifically children. He also interacted with the Indian community in Moscow and announced the opening of Indian Consulates in Kazan and Yekaterinburg. The leaders reaffirmed their close friendship and partnership between India and Russia.
Order of St. Andrew the Apostle: India's Highest Russian Honor
The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle is the highest state honor bestowed by the Russian Federation. It was established in 1698 by Tsar Peter the Great to recognize exceptional service to the Russian people.
Prime Minister Modi's Honor
On December 6, 2016, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian leader to receive the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle. The honor was conferred upon Modi by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a two-day trip to Russia.
Modi's award was in recognition of his efforts to strengthen India-Russia ties, promote international cooperation, and contribute to global peace and stability.
Background and Significance
The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle has a long and distinguished history. It was initially awarded only to the highest-ranking military officers and government officials. Over time, it was extended to include scientists, artists, and other individuals who have made significant contributions to Russian society.
For India, the award is a testament to the close and enduring relationship between the two countries. It reflects not only Modi's personal contributions but also the shared values and interests that have guided India-Russia relations for decades.
Top 5 FAQs
Q1: What is the significance of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle? A1: The Order is the highest state honor bestowed by the Russian Federation and is awarded for exceptional service to the Russian people.
Q2: Why was Prime Minister Modi awarded the Order? A2: Modi received the award in recognition of his efforts to strengthen India-Russia ties, promote international cooperation, and contribute to global peace and stability.
Q3: What is the history of the Order? A3: The Order was established in 1698 by Tsar Peter the Great and was initially awarded only to the highest-ranking military officers and government officials.
Q4: Has any other Indian received the Order before Modi? A4: No, Prime Minister Modi is the first Indian leader to receive the Order.
Q5: What does the Order's significance for India-Russia relations? A5: The award reflects the close and enduring relationship between the two countries and the shared values and interests that have guided their relationship for decades.
Addressing the Conservative Political Action Conference in the US, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called out the global leftist liberal network for their double standard in labeling conservatives as a threat to democracy. She highlighted the growing influence of conservatives in European politics and the Left's nervousness, evident in their hysteria over Trump's victory. Trump also addressed the conference and met with other conservative leaders, emphasizing his efforts to forge a lasting political majority. In another international match, India and Pakistan will face off in the ICC Champions Trophy, available for live streaming on the Jio Hotstar app.
The Triveni Sangam witnessed an unprecedented surge of faith and devotion on Tuesday, with over 5 crore devotees taking a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya at the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, India. This marks the highest single-day turnout at the festival so far, with a total of 20 crore people having taken the holy dip since the start. The UP government expects a turnout of 45 crore at the entire Maha Kumbh, with 10 crore participating on Mauni Amavasya alone.
Kash Patel, an Indian-American, was officially sworn in as the ninth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Friday, taking the oath on the Bhagavad Gita. He was joined by his girlfriend and family, with other family members seated in the front row. Patel, a first-generation Indian, expressed his gratitude to the US and vowed to ensure accountability within the FBI. US President Donald Trump also expressed his strong support for Patel, calling him a "tough, strong" person.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Royal Government of Bhutan have collaborated for 50 years to improve the lives of children in the country. In a recent milestone, UNICEF celebrated its five decades of work in Bhutan and highlighted the achievements made in child well-being during this time. With the help of past and present teams, UNICEF has played a vital role in promoting child rights, education, and health in Bhutan.
Israel has accused Palestinian "terrorists" of killing two young boys, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, who were held hostage by the militant group Hamas since October 2023. The boys' remains were among four bodies handed over by Hamas in a prisoner exchange this week. However, Israel has identified one of the bodies as belonging to a different person, not Shiri Bibas as claimed by Hamas. The Israeli military has demanded Hamas return Shiri, along with all other abducted individuals. It is the first time Israeli bodies have been returned since the ceasefire in Gaza.
The ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan have created a lucrative arms market for major exporters like the US, France, Russia, and China. While the US sells to both sides, France and Russia see the benefits of cultivating relationships with both countries. China, on the other hand, sells exclusively to Pakistan as it sees the Indian Ocean as a potential frontier. Interestingly, Germany, one of the world's top exporters, only sells to India due to its growing economic ties and past conflicts. This complex arms race raises concerns about the consequences of fueling the tensions between two nuclear-armed nations.
Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister of Bangladesh who is currently in exile in India, has publicly condemned interim government chief Muhammad Yunus for unleashing "terrorists" and creating an environment of "lawlessness" in the country. In response, the Yunus-led interim government has reaffirmed its commitment to extradite Hasina from India, while she continues to seek justice for the widows of police officers killed during a student uprising in 2024. This ongoing tension between the two leaders highlights the ongoing political strife in Bangladesh.
Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani's second state visit to India was marked by a warm welcome from President Droupadi Murmu. The visit showcases the deep cultural and historical connections between the two countries, with the leaders emphasizing the strong cooperation and strategic partnership between India and Qatar. The banquet hosted by President Murmu also celebrated the contributions of the Indian community in Qatar and highlighted the potential for further collaboration between the two countries. The signing of key agreements in trade and investment reaffirms the commitment of both leaders towards strengthening the relationship.
A Delta Airlines flight experienced a dramatic crash landing at Toronto's Pearson Airport, with videos of the incident quickly spreading on social media. Fortunately, all 80 passengers and crew members survived, although 18 were hospitalized with minor injuries. The plane reportedly encountered severe weather conditions, including high winds, before landing. Passengers described the landing as "very forceful" and "sudden," with some even hanging upside down until they could be rescued. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, and the CEO of the airport expressed gratitude that there was no loss of life.
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, held talks in New Delhi to solidify the already strong ties between their countries. The leaders decided to take their relations to the next level by declaring a "strategic partnership" that will focus on trade, investments, technology, energy, and people-to-people ties. They also discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest, further showcasing the close relationship between India and Qatar.