Opposition Congress slams Modi over Seychelles award controversy, questions authenticity

India’s opposition Congress Party has questioned the authenticity of an award presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Seychelles, following a report by The Guardian.

Modi received the “Guardian of the Blue Horizon” award from Seychelles President Patrick Herminie, but the certificate reportedly contained spelling mistakes and was flagged by AI-detection software as potentially AI-generated.

The report also claimed the award was created only three days before Modi’s visit, making him its first and only recipient.

Congress leaders mocked the award, accusing the government of seeking publicity, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended it as a proud recognition of Modi’s environmental leadership.

In response to the controversy, Seychelles’ Foreign Ministry clarified that an incorrect draft certificate had been mistakenly circulated and confirmed that the award itself was genuine.

The report also referred to previous awards received by Modi that critics claimed were specially created around the time of his visits. Pakistan’s Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said the controversy raised questions about what he described as India’s “manufactured prestige,” arguing that symbolic international honours could not overshadow domestic challenges.