New Delhi: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Caribbean nations, Dominica has announced that it will confer its highest national accolade, the Dominica Award of Honour, on the Indian Prime Minister. The award is being presented in recognition of Modi’s significant contributions to Dominica, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and his efforts to strengthen the relationship between India and Dominica.
In a statement released by the government on Wednesday, it was confirmed that Sylvanie Burton, President of the Commonwealth of Dominica, will present the award to Prime Minister Modi during the India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown, Guyana, scheduled for November 19-21, 2024.
The award is a gesture of appreciation for India’s support to Dominica during the global health crisis. In February 2021, India provided 70,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to Dominica, a significant contribution that not only helped Dominica but also enabled the country to extend assistance to its neighboring Caribbean nations in their vaccination efforts.
In addition to recognizing India’s timely support during the pandemic, Dominica also lauded Prime Minister Modi’s leadership in enhancing collaboration in areas such as education and information technology. The country highlighted India’s role in advancing climate resilience-building and sustainable development initiatives globally, with Dominica being a key partner in these efforts under Modi’s leadership.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica expressed that the award symbolizes the nation’s deep gratitude for Prime Minister Modi’s solidarity with Dominica and the broader Caribbean region. Skerrit emphasized that the recognition also reflects the strong partnership between the two nations, which continues to grow through collaboration on key sectors of mutual interest.
