The Gandhi Peace Prize is given for social, economic and political transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian methods.
In a first, India on Monday conferred the prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize for 2019 and 2020 posthumously to Bangladesh's father of the nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and Oman's longtime ruler, Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said.
The Gandhi Peace Prize is given for social, economic and political transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian methods.
"The selection procedure did not allow the Prize to be awarded posthumously but given the contribution of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman towards peace, non-violence and amelioration of human sufferings and special relationship with India, the exception was made as a special gesture to honour and celebrate them," sources in the government establishment said on Monday.
The longest-serving king in the Middle East, Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman was key to meeting India's energy security needs in the Persian Gulf.
On numerous occasions, Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said pacified Iran and the US.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has been honoured days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Bangladesh on March 26.
It would be his first visit to any country post-Covid pandemic and second to Bangladesh as the prime minister.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to pay his respects to the two leaders.
Bangabandhu's vision continues to light the India-Bangladesh friendship. I had the privilege of honouring his memory during my previous Bangladesh visit and will again pay homage to him, alongside PM Hasina, during the celebrations. https://t.co/5rFPCnlpVy pic.twitter.com/iS2wjPLIdo
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi)
His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said was a strong advocate of India-Oman friendship, and took special care of the welfare of the Indian community in Oman. I cherished my interactions with His Majesty, and benefited from his wise insights on many subjects. https://t.co/tcPcJwzbHI pic.twitter.com/dK1vnjrENn
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi)