Modi gets ‘Guardian of the Blue Horizon’ award from Seychelles

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the 'Guardian of the Blue Horizon' award from Seychelles during his June 27-29 visit. The award, created specifically for Modi, was presented by President Patrick Herminie. The certificate for the award contained spelling errors, including 'Repubblic of Seycheeles', which drew criticism from opposition politicians like Congress's Supriya Shrinate.

Seychelles' foreign ministry clarified that the circulated image was of a 'working draft', not the final certificate, and that the distinction is genuine. The cabinet had approved the award days before Modi's arrival. This is one of over 30 accolades Modi has received during foreign visits in his 12 years in office, including Indonesia's Bintang Adipurna, Slovakia's Order of the White Double Cross, and the Speaker of the Knesset Medal from Israel, which was also created just before his visit.

Experts like Nitasha Kaul from Westminster University argue these awards are more about Modi's personal image than India's diplomacy. Modi has also won UN Champions of the Earth (2018), Global Goalkeeper (2019), and the Philip Kotler Presidential Award (2019). Critics say countries invent new honours to keep New Delhi happy, reflecting India's growing global clout.