The Commonwealth of Dominica will award its highest distinction, the Dominica Award of Honour, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recognizing his substantial contributions to the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic and his efforts to strengthen the India-Dominica partnership.
Sylvanie Burton, the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica, will present the award at the upcoming India-CARICOM Summit, which is set to take place in Georgetown, Guyana from November 19 to 21, 2024.
In February 2021, India donated 70,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to Dominica, a generous act that enabled the island nation to assist its Caribbean neighbors. This recognition also acknowledges India’s continuous support in various sectors such as healthcare, education, and information technology under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. Additionally, the award highlights Modi’s global role in promoting climate resilience initiatives and sustainable development.
Dominica’s Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, expressed that the award symbolizes Dominica’s gratitude for Modi’s unwavering support, particularly during the challenging global health crisis. He noted, “Prime Minister Modi has been a true partner to Dominica. It is an honor to bestow our highest national award upon him as a token of our appreciation and a testament to the strong ties between our nations.”
In response, Prime Minister Modi underscored the importance of global collaboration in addressing pressing challenges like climate change and geopolitical tensions, reaffirming India’s commitment to partnering with Dominica and the Caribbean in these efforts.
Both Sylvanie Burton and Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit are expected to attend the India-CARICOM Summit, where discussions will focus on enhancing cooperation and exploring new avenues for growth between India and CARICOM member states.