India, March 12 -- Mauritius on Wednesday conferred its highest civilian honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said it was an acknowledgment of the shared commitment to regional progress and security.

The award was presented to Modi by Mauritian President Dharambeer Gokhool at the island country's National Day celebrations in Port Louis in recognition of the prime minister's efforts to strengthen the relationship between India and Mauritius.

"It is a tribute to the centuries-old cultural and historical bonds of kinship between India and Mauritius," Modi said in his acceptance speech. "It is an acknowledgment of our shared commitment to regional peace, progr...