Modi receives Namibia’s Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis
Why in the news
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Namibia’s highest civilian award during a state visit to Windhoek. The honour marks a milestone in India-Namibia ties.
Key facts
- Award: Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis, Namibia’s top civilian honour.
- Modi is the first Indian leader to receive it.
- The state visit was the first by an Indian PM to Namibia in 27 years, and he addressed the Namibian Parliament.
- Namibia was part of a five-nation tour covering Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia.
- The Namibia leg followed the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro on 6-7 July 2025.
About the Order
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Established | 17 March 1995 |
| Classes | Grand Collar, Grand Commander |
| Named after | Welwitschia mirabilis plant |
| Grand Master | President of Namibia |
The Welwitschia mirabilis is Namibia’s national plant. It has only two broad leaves, survives on moisture from the air in the Namib Desert, and some plants are over 1,500 years old, so it is called a living fossil.
Exam angle
- Remember the award name and that Modi is its first Indian recipient.
- Namibia sits in southern Africa; the Namib is its desert.
- Foreign honours to Indian leaders are a regular awards-section question.