Former PM Manmohan Singh with wife Gursharan Kaur at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Wednesday. --AFP
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was Wednesday conferred with one of Japan’s top national awards for his significant contribution to Indo-Japanese ties, becoming the first Indian to receive the rare honour.
Dr Singh, 82, was presented The Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers by Japanese Emperor Akihito for his “significant contribution to the enhancement of relations and promotion of friendship” between Japan and India for about 35 years.
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko hosted a luncheon for Dr Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur at the Imperial Palace after the award ceremony, Kyodo News Agency reported.
“Manmohan Singh is the first Indian recipient of this Order,” the Japanese government had said while announcing the prestigious award.
He is among 57 foreign recipients named for the 2014 Autumn Imperial Decorations.
Dr Singh had earlier said he was truly honoured and felt “humbled by the love and affection showered upon me by the people and government of Japan.”
He said it had been his dream to see India-Japan relationship grow and prosper and “this is an objective towards which I have worked, not only in my tenure as the Prime Minister of India, but across the larger part of my career in public service”.
Dr Singh said he was heartened to witness the transformation in India-Japan relations.
PM Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee wish former PM Manmohan Singh
Congratulating Dr Singh, PM Narendra Modi said it is a matter of joy and pride. “Matter of joy & pride that Japan has conferred Dr Manmohan Singh with Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers. Congrats to him,” he said. Dr Singh was also congratulated by President Pranab. “I am extremely happy to know that the government of Japan has conferred one of its highest civilian honours The Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers upon you, making you the first Indian ever to receive this award,” he said.