A number of Union ministers and chief ministers of NDA-ruled states have congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on being accorded the Amir Amanullah Khan award, Afghanistan's highest civilian honour.
The award was conferred on Modi by Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani yesterday during his short visit to Herat province where he inaugurated a landmark dam built by India at a cost of Rs 1,700 crore.
Expressing gratitude to Afghan government for the award, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, "It's a matter of great honour for India that the Indian Prime Minister has been conferred with the highest ever civilian award by the Afghan government. It is an honour not only for India's Prime Minister but for the whole country for which we are grateful to the government of Afghanistan.
BJP President Amit Shah said Afghanistan bestowing its highest civilian honour on Modi is matter of pride and honour for all Indians.
"This award is yet another testimony of increasing warmness in India's relations with the world and India's important role in global affairs (sic)," he said on twitter.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said, "Congrats to PM Sh @narendramodi for being conferred With #Afghanistan's Top Civilian Honour-Amir Amanullah Khan Award."
"PM @narendramodi being conferred highest civilian honour of Afghanistan embodies India's goodwill overseas. Hearty congratulations to PM!(sic)," Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel tweeted.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said it reflected "emotions of Afghan people towards us", while his Maharashtra counterpart Devendra Fadnavis "saluted" PM's "unique leadership for uniting the world for peace".
"Long history of friendship with Afghanistan - being cemented further under your leadership (sic)," Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said in a tweet. Her Chhatishgarh and Haryana counterparts, Raman Singh and Manohar Lal Khattar, also lauded the Prime Minister.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said: "Our PM's leadership is recognised globally. Proud moment for us."
Union minister Anant Geete "saluted" Modi for making "Indians feel more prouder each day", while Union minister Birender Singh said the proud moment "attests PM's global stature".
"An honour for India and our leader. India is getting the status it deserves in international geopolitical scene," Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar said.
Union minister Jitendra Singh described it as a "rare honour" for India, while Piyush Goyal said it once again affirmed India's global recognition.
Union ministers Kiren Rijiju, Ram Vilas Paswan, Jagat Prakash Nadda, Maneka Gandhi, Kalraj Mishra, Dharmendra Pradhan and Rajyavardhan Rathore also congratulated the Prime Minister.
