Congress Attacks BJP As ‘Repubblic of Seycheeles’ Typo on PM Narendra Modi’s Seychelles Award Certificate Sparks Row

The BJP faced criticism and online trolling on Sunday, June 28, after it shared a certificate conferring the honorary title "Guardian of the Blue Horizon" on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Seychelles. Social media users and Opposition leaders pointed out that the certificate carried a spelling error, with "Republic of Seychelles" appearing as "Repubblic of Seycheeles" on the official seal.

The controversy emerged shortly after Seychelles President Patrick Herminie conferred the honorary title on Modi following delegation-level talks. While the honour itself was officially announced by the Seychelles government, the spelling mistake on the certificate shared online quickly became the focus of political debate and social media discussions. PM Narendra Modi Arrives in Seychelles, Receives Warm Welcome From President Patrick Herminie at Airport (Watch Videos).

Seychelles Bestows Title of ‘Guardian of the Horizon’ to PM Modi

𝐒𝐞𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐬 ‘𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐨𝐧’ 𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐌 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐢

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been conferred the ‘Guardian of the Blue Horizon’, Seychelles’ highest honour for leadership in environmental… pic.twitter.com/nAE15HCnwC

— BJP (@BJP4India) June 28, 2026

Seychelles Confers Highest Honour on PM Modi

Addressing a joint press statement with Prime Minister Modi, President Patrick Herminie described the title as the highest honour bestowed by the Republic of Seychelles on international dignitaries.

“A particular highlight was my honour in bestowing upon Prime Minister Modi the honorary title ‘Guardian of the Blue Horizon’, a tribute to his exceptional leadership in sustainability, the Blue Economy and ocean governance,” Herminie said.

“This distinction represents the highest honour that the Republic of Seychelles confers upon international dignitaries. It stands as a symbol of our nation’s deepest respect and recognition for those whose leadership and partnership embody the spirit of the Guardian of Our Blue Horizon,” he added. PM Modi Hands over Made-in-India Patrol Vessel, Ambulances, Utility Vehicles to Seychelles.

According to the Seychelles President, the honour recognises Modi's leadership in sustainability, ocean governance and the Blue Economy.

Spelling Error on PM Modi’s Seychelles Honour Certificate

Note the spelling mistake. It is fake award. 🥱 pic.twitter.com/OqejhkisxW

— Gokul Sundar K (@GokulSunda61827) June 28, 2026

The Republic of Seychelles know that spelling is Saheb's 'streanh'! So, they tested his #streanh by making their seal spelt as #REPUBBLIC#Entire BJP and #Entire Andhbhakts have no clue just as Saheb.

Now Saheb will explain " Extra B aataa hai ki nahin?" 🙈🙈🙈

— Brian Passanha (@bspassanha) June 28, 2026

AI made some spelling errors in the citation i guess.

Republic on the stamp.

— TheThinkingNation🇮🇳 (@ThinkingNation) June 28, 2026

Abe kabadi bazaar se uthayi thi seal? Kya nakli award hai ye! pic.twitter.com/m2jgszeYHy

— Saurabh (@wanderersaurabh) June 28, 2026

Certificate's Spelling Error Sparks Online Reactions

Soon after images of the certificate were shared by BJP leaders and supporters on social media, users noticed that the word "Republic" on the seal had been misspelled as "Repubblic."

The apparent typographical error triggered widespread reactions online, with many users questioning how the mistake appeared on an official document associated with the honour. Neither the Government of Seychelles nor the BJP had publicly commented on the spelling error at the time of writing.

Congress Targets BJP

मोदी जी 1.30 लाख आबादी वाले Seychelles के दौरे पर हैं

• Seychelles ने एक नया अवार्ड ईजाद करके नरेंद्र मोदी को दिया है

• 'Guardian of the Blue Horizon' नाम का यह अवार्ड मोदी जी से पहले किसी को नहीं मिला है

• लेकिन Seychelles वालों ने यह सब इतनी जल्दी में किया कि seal पर… pic.twitter.com/jRmq1ADvAq

— Supriya Shrinate (@SupriyaShrinate) June 28, 2026

The world has figured Modi out.

Give him any award, and he’ll come running.

Seychelles approved a brand-new award - ‘Guardian of the Blue Horizon’ - just four days ago.

It had never been given to anyone before Modi. They were in such a tearing hurry that they even got the… pic.twitter.com/dKpNt3SCJp

— Supriya Shrinate (@SupriyaShrinate) June 28, 2026

Congress Targets BJP Over Certificate

The Congress also seized on the controversy, with party leader Supriya Shrinate criticising the award and the circumstances surrounding it in a post on social media.

Shrinate wrote: Modi is on a visit to Seychelles, which has a population of 130,000. Seychelles has invented a new award and given it to Narendra Modi. This award named 'Guardian of the Blue Horizon' has not been given to anyone before Modi ji. But the Seychelles did all this in such a hurry that they wrote 'REPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES' incorrectly on the seal.

She added, "Earlier also, Israel had given Modi a similar wonderful award, and before that some foreigners had given him the Philip Kotler Award – all these were not given to anyone before or after Modi ji. Devotees are happy that Modi ji is getting the award - how would those poor people know that foreigners have understood Modi ji's weakness - just fool him by giving him the award.  During the visit to Seychelles, India has decided to provide financial assistance of $175 million (about Rs 1500 crore). $125 million line of credit and $50 million non-repayable grant. Devotees can clap and ring plates!"

Despite the online debate over the certificate's spelling, the honorary title was formally announced by President Herminie during the official delegation-level talks. There has been no indication from Seychelles authorities that the conferral of the honorary title itself has been affected by the typographical error.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 28, 2026 09:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).