The article critiques the Indian Foreign Service's growing obsession with securing foreign awards for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, arguing that this focus undermines India's diplomatic credibility.

It highlights incidents where diplomatic efforts to arrange honorary titles for Modi led to embarrassment, such as the controversial 'Guardian of the Blue Horizon' award in Seychelles, which had factual errors.

The author stresses that India's global standing is not dependent on such awards but on tangible achievements like trade agreements, technology partnerships, and strategic alliances.The piece warns that prioritizing symbolic honors over national interests distorts diplomatic priorities and weakens India's image.

It calls for diplomats to focus on protecting India's interests rather than cultivating a leader's personal legacy, emphasizing that respect should stem from national accomplishments, not ceremonial decorations.