Before you start showering hate comments on us, let's make it clear - the title of 'Champion of the Earth' is not something we came up with. It was conferred to him by the UN in October 2018.

Last week, the whole world was talking about PM Modi being honoured by UAE with the 'Order of Zayed', their highest civilian order. Fast forward to the present time and once again everyone is talking about PM Modi being honoured, only this time it's Russia. 

© Twitter

PM Narendra Modi has now been awarded Russia's highest civilian award, 'Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle), for his exceptional efforts in promoting the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two nations. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the decree to award PM Modi with the same. 

President Putin signs the decree to award the Prime Minister of India @narendramodi the highest civilian award of the Russian Federation -"Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle"@PMOIndia @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @KremlinRussia_E @PTI_News @mfa_russiahttps://t.co/WSogiFGcNf pic.twitter.com/gGwXnptvdZ

PM Modi even took to Twitter to thank President Putin and the people of Russia for conferring this honour on him. He wrote, "Honoured to receive this prestigious award. I thank President Putin and the people of Russia. Foundations of India-Russia friendship are deep & the future of our partnership is bright. Extensive cooperation between our nations has led to extraordinary outcomes for our citizens."

Honoured to receive this prestigious award. I thank President Putin and the people of Russia.

Foundations of India-Russia friendship are deep & the future of our partnership is bright.

Extensive cooperation between our nations has led to extraordinary outcomes for our citizens. https://t.co/4ppEC7ZAWe

He wrote in another tweet, "President Putin remains a source of great strength for the India-Russia friendship. Under his visionary leadership, bilateral and multilateral cooperation between our nations has scaled new heights."

President Putin remains a source of great strength for the India-Russia friendship.

Under his visionary leadership, bilateral and multilateral cooperation between our nations has scaled new heights.

Talking about the award, the 'Order of St Andrew the Apostle' is the highest and the oldest state order of Russia. It was first established in 1698, abolished during the Soviet Rule and later re-established in 1998.