In honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's outstanding efforts to the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dominica has announced to honour him with the Dominica Award of Honour, the country's highest honour, prior to his trip to the Caribbean. 

"The Commonwealth of Dominica will bestow its highest national award, the Dominica Award of Honour, upon His Excellency Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India in recognition of his contributions to Dominica during the COVID-19 pandemic and his dedication to strengthening the partnership between India and Dominica," said the statement the government issued on on Wednesday.

The award will be presented by the Dominican President at the next India-CARICOM Summit. It is noteworthy that in February 2021, India generously donated 70,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to Dominica, allowing the country to support its neighbours in the Caribbean. The major announcement came out just a few days before Prime Minister Modi was scheduled to make history by becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Guyana in more than 50 years.

Dominica recognised India’s support in education and information technology under Prime Minister Modi's leadership. The country also thanked him for his efforts in promoting climate resilience and sustainable development worldwide. Prime Minister Skerrit said the award reflects Dominica’s appreciation for PM Modi’s solidarity with both Dominica and the wider Caribbean region. "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." 

In his acceptance speech, PM Modi highlighted the need for teamwork to solve global problems like climate change and geopolitical conflicts. He also reassured that India is committed to working with Dominica and the Caribbean to address these challenges. "Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton, President of the Commonwealth of Dominica and Prime Minister Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit will attend the India-CARICOM Summit, a forum to discuss shared priorities and new avenues for cooperation between India and CARICOM member states," the statement read.