The Commonwealth of Dominica has announced that it will confer its highest national award, the Dominica Award of Honour, to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recognition of his contributions to the nation, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and his role in strengthening the relationship between India and Dominica. The award will be presented by Sylvanie Burton, President of the Commonwealth of Dominica, during the upcoming India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown, Guyana, from November 19 to 21, 2024.
In February 2021, India provided Dominica with 70,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, a gesture that not only aided the island’s vaccination efforts but also allowed Dominica to extend support to its Caribbean neighbors during a time of crisis.
The Dominica Award of Honour also acknowledges India’s continued assistance to Dominica in various sectors, including healthcare, education, and information technology, under Modi’s leadership. Additionally, Modi’s advocacy for climate resilience and sustainable development on the global stage is recognized with this award.
“Prime Minister Modi has been a true partner to Dominica, particularly during our time of need amid a global health crisis. It is an honour to present him with Dominica’s highest national accolade as a symbol of our gratitude for his support and as a reflection of the strong ties between our countries. We look forward to building on this partnership and advancing our shared vision of progress and resilience,” Roosevelt Skerrit,
Prime Minister of Dominica, said.
In his response, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of global collaboration in addressing pressing issues such as climate change and geopolitical conflicts. He reiterated India’s commitment to working alongside Dominica and the Caribbean nations to tackle these challenges.
The India-CARICOM Summit will serve as a platform for India and CARICOM member states to discuss shared priorities and explore new avenues for cooperation. Both President Sylvanie Burton and Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit will attend the summit, where the strengthening of ties and future collaboration between India and CARICOM nations will be a key focus.