NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi Sunday became the first Indian PM to address Seychelles’ National Assembly and was honoured with the country’s first-ever “Guardian of the Blue Horizon” distinction — twin firsts on a State visit that reasserted India’s position as western Indian Ocean’s security and development anchor amid China’s expanding presence along key sea lanes, reports Manash Gohain. Hailing Modi as an embodiment of “the spirit of the Guardian of our Blue Horizon”, President Patrick Herminie said the honour recognised his leadership on sustainability, the Blue Economy and ocean governance. “I humbly accept this honour and dedicate it to all those countries that are fighting the challenge of climate change and consider environmental protection their responsibility towards future generations,” Modi said, calling it a challenge “we have to overcome together”.