India, June 16 -- Cyprus on Monday awarded the Order of Makarios III, one of the country's highest civilian honours, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described the award as a symbol of peace, security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Cypriot President Nikos Christodulides conferred the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, the second highest of six grades of the award, on Modi at an official ceremony on the second day of his visit to the Mediterranean country. Modi dedicated the award to the friendship between the two countries.

"I dedicate this award to friendly ties, shared values and mutual understanding between India and Cyprus," he said, speaking in Hindi. "This award is a symbol of peace, security, sovereignty and t...