India, March 11 -- Mauritius Prime Minister Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be conferred the country's highest award, "The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean."

PM Modi is the first Indian to receive the honour. He is visiting the island nation at the invitation of Mauritius Prime Minister Ramgoolam.

Earlier on Tuesday, PM Modi announced the issuance of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards to the Mauritian prime minister and his spouse, Veena Ramgoolam. The decision marked India's commitment to its diaspora and bilateral relations with Mauritius.

In March 2024, India extended OCI card eligibility to Mauritian nationals of Indian lineage, which can be traced up...