Summary The Guardian claims several foreign honours awarded to Narendra Modi were created shortly before his visits, prompting political debate in India.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – British newspaper The Guardian has questioned the foreign honours received by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that several of the awards were created only days before his official visits and that he was the first or only recipient of some of them.
According to the report, Seychelles introduced the "Guardian of the Blue Horizon" award just three days before Modi's visit to the island nation.
The newspaper also alleged that an initial version of the award certificate contained spelling errors in the words "Republic" and "Seychelles" and raised concerns that it may have been generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
However, Seychelles' Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the allegations, saying the incorrect certificate was merely a working draft and that the officially approved certificate was later issued. The government also insisted the award is entirely genuine.
The Guardian further claimed that Israel's "Medal of the Knesset" was created only days before Modi's visit and that he remains its sole recipient.
The report also highlighted the 2019 Philip Kotler Presidential Award, noting that although it was announced as an annual honour for national leaders, Modi was its first recipient and no subsequent awards have been presented.
According to the newspaper, Modi has also received top civilian honours from several countries over the past year, including Ethiopia and Trinidad and Tobago, with some of those distinctions making him either the first foreign recipient or the only recipient.
India's opposition Congress party mocked the honours, alleging that the Modi government uses foreign awards for domestic political promotion and image-building.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, maintains that the honours reflect international recognition of Modi's global leadership, diplomatic achievements and environmental contributions.
The report concluded that Modi's growing list of foreign honours has become a subject of political debate in India, with supporters viewing them as evidence of the country's rising global influence, while critics argue they are linked to personality-driven politics and political branding.
