Moscow [Russia], July 9 (HBTV): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday will be ceremoniously presented with the Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called, for which he was named in 2019, at St Catherine's Hall of the Moscow Kremlin. 

The order is bestowed on the prime minister of India for his distinguished contribution to the development of a privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India and friendly ties between the two countries. 

The Order was established in 1698 by Tsar Peter the Great, in honor of Saint Andrew, the first apostle of Jesus and patron saint of Russia. It is only awarded for the most outstanding civilian or military merit. 

The Russian Embassy in India had in 2019 said that on April 12, Narendra Modi was decorated with the Order of St Andrew the Apostle for exceptional services in promoting special and privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India and friendly relations between the Russian and Indian peoples.

The Russian President had then said on X that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was being bestowed the Order of St Andrew for outstanding achievements in promoting partnership with Russia.

To this, PM Modi replied that the foundation of the friendship between the two countries is deep and the future of the partnership is bright.

Modi said to feel honored to receive the prestigious award. He thanked President Putin and the people of Russia.     

‘The foundations of India-Russia friendship are deep and the future of our partnership is bright. Extensive cooperation between our nations has led to extraordinary outcomes for our citizens,’ he said.