Asia

Twitter Divided Over Indian PM Modi's Seoul Peace Prize Award

India's prime minister received one of South Korea's most prestigious awards on Wednesday, with some Twitter users sending their congrats while others ridiculing the new laureate.
Sputnik

Indian prime minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chairman Narendra Modi was honored with the Seoul Peace Prize for contributing to world peace through his "Modinomics" reforms, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs announced on Wednesday. 

Seoul's award group noted India's high rate of economic growth, which it claims has led to an increased quality of life for Indians, in addition to promoting world peace through economic cooperation with other nations. 

​The panel also praised Modi for making "great contributions to the stability of the Asia-Pacific region by pushing for brisk diplomacy and fostering international cooperation." 

"It is a matter of great joy and immense pride for 130 crore Indians that [Modi] has been honoured with the prestigious Seoul Peace Prize," BJP national president Amit Shah said.  

Twitter pundit Jesse Pinkman said that the BJP should "give 50% of their bank balance as Chanda to AAP," he continued, referring to Aam Aadmi Party founder Arvind Kejriwal, who was widely credited with proposing reforms India's economy before Modi. 

Fans from across the subcontinent lauded the prime minister with praise and congratulations.

Another user mentioned that Modi's "economic cooperation with other countries" was a lucrative defense contract signed with South Korean firms in July. 

​​However, the haters remained, with one Twitter user accusing Seoul of shooting itself in the foot and Modi of sowing religious divisions across India.  

The Seoul Peace Prize began in 1990 to commemorate the 24th Olympic Games hosted in Seoul and aimed to promote an atmosphere of peace and reconciliation.  

Former International Olympic Committee (IOC) chairman Juan Antonio Samaranch was the first to receive the prize and biennial awards have given to recipients promoting world peace, including former UN secretary general Kofi Annan, German chancellor Angela Merkel, and even organizations such as Oxfam and Doctors Without Borders. Prime Minister Modi became the 14th recipient of the award.

AsiaWorldNewsfeedSouth KoreaSeoulNarendra ModiInternational Olympic Committee (IOC)Olympic Games1988 Summer Olympicsawardworld peaceSeoul Peace Prize
Discuss