Pawan Khera dismisses Modi’s foreign honours as trivial

Comparing the BJP’s celebratory reaction to a child receiving a piece of candy, Congress leader Pawan Khera has publicly mocked the recent conferral of Uzbekistan’s highest state honour upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Khera argued that the recurring international awards are undermining the dignity of the Prime Minister’s office.

Editorial·August 31, 2026·reads: 1,393

Pawan Khera dismisses Modi’s foreign honours as trivial

Khera’s comments follow the presentation of the Order of Oliy Darajali Dustlik to Modi by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during a two-day state visit. The Congress leader suggested that the ruling party’s enthusiasm over these accolades is turning a serious diplomatic process into a public spectacle. He urged the Prime Minister to conduct himself with greater restraint, noting that the constant fanfare surrounding every foreign award risks reducing the stature of the country.

In response, the Prime Minister framed the award as a reflection of the deep-rooted friendship between India and Uzbekistan, rather than a personal triumph. During the ceremony, Modi stated that the honour belongs to the 1.4 billion people of India and accepted it with humility. He emphasized that the recognition serves as a reminder of the responsibilities held by the nation, particularly in advocating for the interests of the Global South and broader humanitarian goals.