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Tashkent [Uzbekistan] : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday received Uzbekistan’s highest state honour, the Order of “Oliy Darajali Dustlik” from its President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and thanked his “brother” for the honour, saying India and Uzbekistan will work together for the welfare of the Global South and humanity.
Addressing President Mirziyoyev as his friend and expressing gratitude for the warmth extended to him and his delegation during his two-day State visit, PM Modi said the visit would remain memorable for him.
“My friend, the father of the economic revolution in Uzbekistan, who has served as a role model across this entire region in scaling new heights of development- this two-day visit of mine will always be remembered,” PM Modi said.
Reflecting on the honour, PM Modi said the words used by President Mirziyoyev captured India’s heritage, its spirit of universal brotherhood and the efforts of its 1.4 billion people.
“The words you just used for me and the generosity you expressed–I believe you have captured in very few words India’s thousands-of-years-old heritage, the identity of an India that lives by the spirit of universal brotherhood (Vishwa Bandhutva), and the enterprise of 1.4 billion fellow citizens,” he said.
Calling the award a moment of “immense pride”, the Prime Minister highlighted the significance of the word “Dostlik”, meaning friendship, and said it reflected the core sentiment of India-Uzbekistan relations.
“Being conferred with Uzbekistan’s highest award is a moment of immense pride for me. And you used a word with which the people of India are also very familiar–‘Dostlik’,” he said.
“‘Dostlik’ means friendship. This single word exquisitely captures and expresses the sentiment that lies at the very core of relations between India and Uzbekistan,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi said the honour belonged not only to him but to the people of India, and dedicated it to the longstanding friendship and shared heritage between the two countries.
“This honour does not belong to just one individual; it belongs to 1.4 billion people of India. On behalf of all the people of India, I express my sincere gratitude to the people of Uzbekistan, its government, and my friend, the Honourable President,” he said.
“I accept this highest honour with utmost humility and humbly dedicate it to the centuries-old friendship and our shared heritage between both nations,” he added.
The Prime Minister also credited President Mirziyoyev’s leadership and friendship with India for the steady strengthening of bilateral ties, noting that the relationship has now been elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
“Excellency, under your visionary leadership and your friendship toward India, our relations have grown consistently stronger. They continue to successfully scale new heights at every step. As a result, our ties have today been elevated to the new level of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi said the honour also carried a greater responsibility and assured the people of Uzbekistan that India would remain committed to the friendship between the two countries.
“An award certainly brings pride and respect, but I am well aware that an award also brings with it a great responsibility. Today, as I accept this award, I feel that responsibility,” he said.
“From this historic land of Uzbekistan, I want to reassure the people of Uzbekistan today that India will never step back from its responsibilities. We will honour this friendship in every way,” PM Modi added.
Highlighting the shared commitment of India and Uzbekistan towards the Global South, PM Modi said both countries would work together for its welfare and for the benefit of humanity.
“Together, both our nations will become a united voice for the Global South with complete dedication. We will spare no effort in our endeavours for the welfare of the Global South, and we will also make every effort to fulfil our mission for the welfare of all humanity,” he said.
PM Modi concluded by expressing his “heartfelt gratitude” to President Mirziyoyev for conferring Uzbekistan’s national honour on him. (Agencies)
