President Droupadi Murmu on Monday was conferred with Suriname’s highest civilian award by President Chandrikapersad Santokhi to honour the South American nation's deep-rooted bilateral ties with India.

Murmu received the "Grand Order of the Chain of the Yellow Star" on June 5, from the Surinamese president and said she was greatly honoured to receive Suriname’s highest distinction.

”This recognition holds tremendous significance, not only for me but also for the 1.4 billion people of India whom I represent,” she tweeted after receiving the award on Monday.

She dedicated the honour to the successive generations of the Indian-Surinamese community, who have played a stellar role in enriching the fraternal ties between our two countries.

Murmu also exchanged various MoUs with Santokhi at the Presidential Palace in Paramaribo on Monday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the President on receiving the award.

”Congratulations to Rashtrapati Ji on being conferred the highest civilian award of Suriname – Grand Order of the Chain of the Yellow Star. This special gesture from the Government and the people of Suriname symbolises the enduring friendship between our countries,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

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Her achievement was also lauded by the Minsitry of External Affairs on Twitter.

”An honour reflective of the deep-rooted India-Suriname ties! President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn conferred with the ’Grand Order of the Chain of the Yellow Star’, the highest civilian award of Suriname by President @CSantokhi,” the Ministry of External Affairs tweeted.

She arrived in Suriname on Sunday for a three-day state visit — her first since assuming office in July last year.

"This is my first visit to your country. There are so many similarities between India, which is well known for its diversity, and Suriname... I feel like I am at my own home," Murmu said at a cultural programme on Monday evening.

Despite her many official engagements, President Murmu spent some time with a group of children who came to greet her in Paramaribo. She offered them India-made chocolates.

President also visited ‘Marinetrap’ where she witnessed the simulation and welcoming of the arrival of the First Indians in Suriname. She also inaugurated the simulated village at Independence Square.

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While in Suriname, Murmu laid a wreath at the Mama Sranan monument and paid homage to the Baba and Mai monument on Monday.

On Monday, President Murmu met her Surinamese counterpart Chandrikapersad Santokhi and later led delegation-level talks between the two sides. Speaking on the occasion, the President said that she was happy to be in Suriname on her first State Visit as President of India when it is commemorating the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in Suriname.

She said that deep historical and cultural ties provide the foundation for the India-Suriname multifaceted and modern partnership.

The President noted that bilateral trade between the two countries is well below potential. She said that there is a need to work together to expand bilateral trade for mutual benefit.

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She expressed confidence that the agreements signed during the visit would help boost the trade and economic ties. She said that there is scope for further collaboration in sectors like pharmaceuticals, Ayurveda, agriculture and defence, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a press release.

The President said that India is committed to enhancing technical cooperation and contributing to the capacity-building and skill development of Suriname’s human resources as per the country’s requirements.