India Hits Back at Pakistan Defence Minister Over PM Modi's Seychelles Honour

India has strongly rebutted remarks made by Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi receiving Seychelles' highest civilian honour, the Guardian of the Blue Horizon award. Asif had alleged that the recognition was a "manufactured honour" obtained deliberately. Responding sharply, senior officials from India's Ministry of External Affairs said the Pakistani minister was making baseless statements on matters he did not understand and accused him of spreading misinformation out of frustration and jealousy.

The Ministry further stated that envy never produces positive outcomes and often fuels hostility, particularly among those accustomed to making provocative remarks. Prime Minister Modi became the first recipient of Seychelles' highest honour during his recent visit to the island nation. Notably, the Seychelles Cabinet had approved the conferment of the Guardian of the Blue Horizon award on June 24, weeks before the Prime Minister's visit, underscoring that the decision followed an official governmental process.